London, April 27, 1837.
The Duke of Wellington presents his Compts to Miss J. and is very sensible of the kindness of her expressions on the loss which a part of His family has recently sustained.
The Duke is much concerned to learn that Miss J. still thinks that she has cause to be displeased with the Duke.
The Duke trusts that Reflection and time will convince her; that no such cause [sic]. The Duke assures her, Miss J., that he is not sensible that he has given her such cause; by anything that he has said written done or omitted.
"In a letter dated April 29th the duke writes 'He is very grateful for the interest which Miss J. has been pleased to express about the health of the Duke's brother. The Newspapers were misinformed. The Duke's brother has not been seriously indisposed. His niece however has lost her daughter which is the misfortune to which the Duke imagined that Miss J. had referred.'"
London, May 1, 1837.
The Duke of Wellington presents His Compts to Miss J. He returns many thanks for Her Note. The Duke will make enquiries respecting that of the 22nd addressed by the Duke to Miss J. which she had not received in due course.
It is wonderful that there should be so little delay and so few mistakes in an establishment of this Description. But the few that do occur should render letter writers cautious not to write in a moment of Irritation; that which would not be written if time were taken for reflection.
Some coolness followed this letter. The Duke wrote once again saying, "He does not know what to do to please her." Miss J. adds, "Which it was quite impossible he could do while in and of 'the world.'"
A silence of over three months followed this latest tiff. Miss J., as usual, re-opened the correspondence. The Duke's reply was not cordial:—