Ever Yours most faithfully
Wellington.
Miss J. writes:—
"In my reply to the Duke I assured him that I had no Banker in London to my knowledge, never having had to do more than occasionally receive my Dividends, when my Guardian transacted business, which generally speaking he forwarded by letter. But in order to give the Duke a clear idea how things stood, I promised to enclose two letters for his perusal, one from my Guardian before his death and the other from his wife after it! Alas! by doing this I brought upon myself more trouble and sorrow than can ever be forgotten, through the untoward, unlooked for circumstances that attended them. These I would willingly omit if faithfulness to God and the world did not call upon me to proceed regularly as occurrences took place, however torn and wounded my mind may be!... I feel even now as I write that I wonder at myself for ever addressing the Duke again. However, I was then laid upon a bed of sickness and apparently approaching death, therefore it is probable that the eternal welfare of one to whom I had dedicated myself for so many years increased in importance in my estimation, if this were possible. Nor can I ever account for such devoted feelings to any individual beyond concluding that God had so decreed it.
"Of course I lost no time in sending the letters promised and required, but they miscarried."
Hearing nothing from the Duke, Miss J. wrote again:—
"July 23, 1850.
"As I cannot think it possible, My Dear Duke, that you could treat me with so much cruelty in my present state as to have received two such letters as my last without noticing them, I write to enquire whether you have heard from me twice since I heard from you. I entreated you not to keep my mind in suspense, as I was not in a State to bear it.
"I have a Physician twice a week, and yesterday, on finding my pulse in such a State he seemed very dissatisfied, saying if my mind were not kept free from all anxiety it will kill me. Therefore, My Dear Duke, you surely cannot hear this without using every means in your power to relieve it.
"You ask me in your Letter of the 12th Inst. in what way I should like you to acquiesce with my wishes? or through what Bank? I answered that I should be guided entirely by your advice, yet not a word did I receive in your next on the subject, nor from that time to this have you referred to it. This to me is quite incomprehensible, as you in the same letter imply it is your intention that I shall have all that is necessary. I cannot help adding I consider this the least God would have me expect from Your hands, My dearest Duke, under present trying circumstances, feeling towards you as HE knows I have done so many years such disinterestedness dedication and affection."