Wellington.
"I presume by a portion of the Duke's next letter dated June 22nd, 1844, that I had expressed uneasiness concerning some of mine reaching him, as he writes—'If you should have any apprehension of your letters not reaching me, you have only not to sign them. I know your handwriting perfectly and moreover should know from their purport that they could come from you alone.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated June 24th, he writes; 'You are very kind my dear Miss J. in writing to me so frequently. I have to thank you for two letters received, the last on this morning. I assure you that I am very sensible of the constant interest which you feel in my welfare.'
"The portion about to be copied in the Duke's next letter dated June 26th requires some explanation on my part previously, as it refers to a short separation which took place between my dear friend Mrs. L. and myself—arising from a circumstance that wounded me concerning a letter which interfered with my gratifying a request therein made by my dear Father before his death.
"'I am much concerned likewise to learn that you do not feel yourself on the same satisfactory terms as usual with your old friend Mrs. L. I regret this, because the Impression on my mind is, that she was your friend and that you were much attached to her. I hope therefore that before long that confidence in your mind will revive and that you will return to your old Habits of friendly intercourse with that lady which were heretofore so satisfactory to you.'
"These remarks on the part of the Duke had the desired effect and my intimacy with Mrs. L. was speedily renewed.
"In the Duke's next letter dated June 28th, 1844, he writes—'I am happy to learn that you are likely to be reconciled to Mrs. L. It is impossible that you should be otherwise than of a forgiving temper and disposition, particularly as I hope in this Case no voluntary cause for Irritation could have been given.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 1st he writes—'I am delighted to hear that you have renewed your old relations with Mrs. L. which I am convinced will prove satisfactory to you.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 3rd he writes—'I beg that you will have no scruple about writing to me on any paper, or at the moment most agreeable to you. I am aware of your occupations, that you write as well as read a great deal, that you write your thoughts as they occur to you, and that you do not attend to penmanship or Hand writing which however I assure you that I peruse with the greatest facility and always with satisfaction on account of the great interest which you express for my welfare.'"
London, July 6, 1844.