at Handicap Lodge when you told them that the match with yourself
was still on. I have no doubt the plan would suit father and son;
you best know how far the lady may have been likely to accede. At
any rate, my dear Frank, if you'll take my advice, you'll not sit
quiet till she does marry some one. You can't expect she'll wear the
willow for you very long, if you do nothing yourself. Write to her
by post, and write to the earl by the same post, saying you have
done so. Tell her in the sweetest way you can, that you cannot live
without seeing her, and getting your _congé_ [39], if _congé_ it is
to be, from her own dear lips; and tell him, in as few words, as you
please, that you mean to do yourself the honour of knocking at his
door on such and such a day--and do it.

[FOOTNOTE 39: congé--(French) dismissal, notice to quit]

By the bye, Kilcullen certainly returns to Ireland immediately.
There's been the devil's own smash among him and the Jews. He has
certainly been dividing money among them; but not near enough, by
all accounts, to satisfy the half of them. For the sake of your
reputation, if not of your pocket, don't let him walk off with the
hundred and thirty thousand pounds. They say it's not a penny less.

Very faithfully yours,

W. BLAKE.

Shall I do anything for you here about Brien? I think I might still
get you eleven to one, but let me hear at once.