ther it will do; but I will tell you all I know, and all that I have been able to do. After so long an absence, a common call would have signified nothing, and I should never have seen her. Besides, it was my plan, if possible, to bring things round upon the old footing; and to this end I could think of nothing but availing myself of my late illness, in a note of great respect and reconnoissance, and yesterday morning wrote as follows:

"MADAM,

"I endeavoured to wait upon your ladyship on Friday se'night, to make my acknowledgments for the honour you had done me in sending for me the preceding day, and to acquaint your ladyship, had I been so fortunate as to find you at home, that I did not receive your message in time to obey your ladyship's commands. On the Sunday I was taken very ill with a most violent cold, and some fever in consequence, with which I have been confined ever since, and the greatest part of my time to my bed. I went out, indeed," [this for fear I should have been seen,]" for an hour, on particular business, on Sunday last, though it was rather too early for me to go abroad. But as I flatter myself I may now venture out without any risk, I shall be happy to make my first visit to your ladyship, if I could know the day and hour when it might be agreeable; and I shall be always happy to testify my gratitude for the notice with which you have deigned

to honour me. I am, with the greatest respect, Madam, your ladyship's most obliged, &c. &c."

This morning I was alone, when in came the Baron. "Ah! mon cher Docteur," &c. &c. As I saw the rascal was in the act to embrace me, and as I would not be outdone in rascality, I embraced him. He was very sorry I had been so ill, and, if he had known it, he would have come to me. Oh! I forgot the postscript to my note. "I beg your ladyship's permission for desiring that my compliments may be presented to the Baron." When the topic of illness was discussed, he asked me when I had heard from you. I said, by the last post, and made a full stop; waiting for what I expected in consequence, and for what I had prepared my answer beforehand; but it was not called for, for he went no further. Perhaps, however, he may another time, and therefore, I shall tell you what I mean to say, which I hope you will approve, as it may be wanted before I can have your answer. "Has he received my letter?"-"Yes."-"They why does he not send me an answer?"-" Why, Monsieur le Baron, I should apprehend, from what I can collect,”—(making it my own opinion only, and most carefully avoiding to commit you in any respect whatever, by quoting you for a single word,)—"Why, Monsieur le Baron, I should apprehend, from what I can collect, that Mr. Selwyn rather expects to

hear from you again first, and that he looks upon your letter as the emotion of anger ill-founded, for which you will make him an apology, for that he has not given cause, &c."

This would produce sacres and mon-Dieus!-"that you had given cause, and that you ought to answer it." I should then tell him, that I knew of my private knowledge that all your friends here, who knew of it, (and that I had reason to believe the same of those at home,) were of a contrary opinion, and advised you to give no answer; and that as, by no answer coming, you seemed to follow their advice on this point, I should think it very likely that you might do so in another, in which I knew they strongly concurred, which is, that, if he persisted in this colère mal fondée, which I should hope he would not, when you came into this country you should lay the whole transaction before the ministry here, and take their opinion of it. This, I believe, would be sufficient to close the conversation; at least it would on my part; for I could have nothing more to say. Besides, as I should be prepared, he would not push me off my guard, and I should be very mild, calm, and dispassionate. I hope this is the manner you would have me reply in; but as he said nothing to-day when we were alone, perhaps he does not mean it at any other time.

Finding he added nothing to his question, of when I heard from you? I talked of the court

martial,* and from thence we went to the weather, and I do not know what other idle topic, for the first quarter of an hour. He then told me that their affairs were in a charming way, for that an Englishman was gone a fortnight ago to England, who was sure of raising money, and that they should find enough to defray everything. "This was fortunate enough; but how, my dear sir, and upon what security ?"-" Why upon P and my bond, and Madame has nothing at all to do with it." Can this be possible, do you think, sir? Can they have met with such a pigeon? This was all his information. He would have the coach sent for me in the afternoon, which I would have evaded, but he insisted. The coach came. Madame was a good deal upon the reserve; she had got a bad cold. I had some letters to read her about Garrick's death, &c., and of a friend of mine who has lately travelled with Governor Johnstone to Bath, who was lavish in encomiums upon her: indeed, I said and did everything I could to please her. Nobody but the Baron and she and I for three quarters of an hour. Not a word of affairs, and your name not mentioned. Madame Bocage came in. I sat her out, and half an hour afterwards; but still not a word of affairs. I then took my leave; but not a word of when they

*The celebrated court-martial on Admiral Keppel, which had commenced at Portsmouth on the 7th of this month. See post, 18 May, 1779.

should see me again, or my coming to dinner; but insisted the coach should take me home.

I do not know rightly how to construe it all; whether it was meant to laugh at me or not. I wanted to come and make her a visit. Well! and I did make her a visit, and that was a good ridicule, and the Baron might have got scolded for having spoken to me of affairs in the morning. On the other hand, it might only be maintaining proper dignity. I rather think the latter, as she mentioned the Comte de Sarsfield's having been there twice some time ago, and her unfortunately being out. I had managed this, upon her dropping a hint that she should like to be acquainted with him; and I had before borrowed books of him for her, and, indeed, I have all along shewn her every little attention in my power, till we broke off. But when I went to consult the Comte about your affair, he said he would never go to her again. I must go to him, and beat him off that, if I can, and make him go again. We may then dine together there and please her, for that was what she wanted, after he had first made her a visit of form. However, I will get into the house as often as I can.

I have seen no mortal yet but those I have mentioned, but may be able to tell you more next post, if there is anything more to tell.