Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/72

lx That she was a woman of energy and talent, and that with these qualities she inherited much of her father's disposition to political intrigue, there can be no doubt. The part she took, or which was assigned to her by her husband at the time these letters were written, was that of ingratiating herself with the Prince of Orange, which she was fully enabled to do by means of Sidney. She was wise enough to see very early in the correspondence that that was the "plant to be cultivated;" and which, in fact, did in due time grow up to give shelter to her house.

Lady Sunderland's friendship with Evelyn lasted through life, and after his death was continued to his widow. She consulted him in all her difficulties. He occasionally distributed her charities, and was the director of her serious and religious studies.