"Let us hear what he says, then," said my father; and this was the
letter which she read to him -


14, Jermyn Street, St. James's,
"April 15th, 1803.

"MY DEAR SISTER MARY,

"In answer to your letter, I can assure you that you must not
conceive me to be wanting in those finer feelings which are the
chief adornment of humanity. It is true that for some years,
absorbed as I have been in affairs of the highest importance, I have
seldom taken a pen in hand, for which I can assure you that I have
been reproached by many des plus charmantes of your charming sex.
At the present moment I lie abed (having stayed late in order to pay
a compliment to the Marchioness of Dover at her ball last night),
and this is writ to my dictation by Ambrose, my clever rascal of a
valet. I am interested to hear of my nephew Rodney (Mon dieu, quel
nom!), and as I shall be on my way to visit the Prince at Brighton
next week, I shall break my journey at Friar's Oak for the sake of
seeing both you and him. Make my compliments to your husband.

"I am ever, my dear sister Mary,
"Your brother,
"CHARLES TREGELLIS."


"What do you think of that?" cried my mother in triumph when she had