Miss J. appends a word of explanation to this letter:—
"The Lady here referred to by the Duke is older than myself, therefore the Duke is in that respect mistaken, never having seen her."
Walmer Castle, Sept. 13, 1849.
My dear Miss J.,—I received your Letter dated Saturday 8th and this morning that of the 11th in which you communicate to me the sad Intelligence of the loss which you had sustained in your friend Mrs. L.! I sincerely condole with you! She was a good and sincere friend of yours and I felt sincere respect and esteem for Her Character! You do not mention your young friend Jane; who was suffering also when you wrote before. I sincerely hope that she is better and progressing towards recovery as you could wish!
Believe me My Dear Miss J.
Yours most faithfully
Wellington.
"I presume by the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 26th, that I made previous enquiries concerning some letters previously forwarded as he writes; 'I cannot now lay my hands on that letter but I must have received it. I think that you need not make yourself uneasy about any letter which you may address me.'"
The caustic tone common in the Duke's letters now reappears. Miss J.'s habit of enclosing to him letters she had written to others, with the request that he would read and return them, had long been a source of annoyance to him; and now his irritation breaks bonds.
Walmer Castle, October 22, 1849.