westbrook-lodge.

One letter is no sooner sent off, than I prepare to dispatch another to you. I hope, Charles, you will acknowledge, as you ought, the mighty obligation, – for mighty it is, when you consider how very precious my time is, – every hour devoted to any other purpose than talking or thinking of the engaging Harriet Melworth, is set down, in my calendar, as totally lost; at present, however, I mean to/ write upon subjects with which she is so closely connected, that my own inclination will not be wholly ungratified. I concluded my last to go with Lord and Lady Lucan, to pay our respects to the Earl and Countess of Castleton, who had arrived at their seat the day before. I believe, Charles, they are not amongst the number of your acquaintance. – I have known them long. They are, now, past the meridian of life; yet, still, there is something in the manners of both, so extremely pleasing, that while they create your respect, they command your affection and confidence. The Duke of —, married their second daughter, two years ago; the match was not highly agreeable to them, as it was extremely disproportionate in point of age; his Grace being full eight years older than Lord Castleton: but a ducal coronet was not to be resisted; and the remonstrances of her parents, who did not fail to delineate to her, in striking colors, the imprudence and folly of such an union, were all ineffectual; she was determined to be a duchess; and a duchess she is: but, I think, her high rank cannot be a compensation for the misery/ she must endure with such a companion. – His tongue is as glib as glass; and he makes it a difficulty for any one else to put in a word when he is present.