Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/215

 dett, the letter was from Colonel Campbell, signifying that, in consequence of an application made to the English government, by Mâalem Homsy, one of Lady Hester Stanhope's creditors, an order had come from Lord Palmerston to stop her pension, unless the debt was paid.

It might have been supposed that the double disappointment of not hearing from Sir Francis Burdett and of receiving such a missive from Colonel Campbell would have considerably increased her anger: but, on the contrary, she grew apparently quite calm, gently placed the letter on the bed, and read the contents:—


 * Cairo, Jan. 10, 1838.


 * Madam,

I trust that your ladyship will believe my sincerity, when I assure you with how much reluctance and pain it is that I feel myself again imperatively