Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/325

 \vhere I suppose noe body hath seen him but particular friends.

It is time to come to a repetition I shall never be weary ot, my being unalterably your Lordship's most faithful and most humble servant.

[Lady Strafford.]

St. James's Square, December 21^ 17 12.

I cant help telling my Dearest Life that I never wished my self so much in Holland as now, for tho' you tell me 'tis only the tooth ack, others hear say you are ill. You may easly believe what a concern 'tis to me, I beg you for God's sake to take care of your self Lady Wentworth has not been here this five days nor out of her chamber, and she still sent me word she was ill, but I fear she has heard you are ill and is in to great trouble to see me ; for I have desired to wait on her every day and she never would give me leave but wonce. I never was so impatient for a post coming in as now. Last week 'twas reported here that you and Count Zinzendorf had faught a duel, sword and pistol, and that you ware kill'd, but they ware so good to me as to keep that from me tell they were convinced 'twas a ly. I wish I could be as well sattisfied your illness is no more than what you say yourself .... Here is a great many rumours talked of, as — the Duke of Beaufort to be Master of the horse and Lord Carmarthan to have his place, you to have the Ordnance, and the Duke of Leeds your place. Lord Fitzharding is dead who had two very good places, teller of the Exchecker and Treasurer of the Chamber. The teller's place I am told Lord Jersey expects, which is 2,000/. a year ; and Treasurer to the Chamber Lord De la Warr solicits for, and to quite his pention of 1,200/. a year for it, they say that is 1,400/ a year. Lord Portmore is to have the Duke of Hambleton's green Garter. I receaved this day i pound of tea directed to our Lady Wentworth, one to sister Betty, and \ a pound to my self, which I have this moment tasted and 'tis cxtremly good. I conclud thers is not so

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