about it from
Miss Wyndham.

I will not, in a letter, express my admiration, &c., &c., &c. But I
will proclaim in Connaught, on my return, that so worthy a bride was
never yet brought down to the far west. Lord Cashel will, of course,
have some pet bishop or dean to marry you; but, after what has
passed, I shall certainly demand the privilege of christening the
heir.

Believe me, dear Frank,

Your affectionate friend,

GEORGE ARMSTRONG.

Lord Cashel's letter was as follows. It cost his lordship three hours
to compose, and was twice copied. I trust, therefore, it is a fair
specimen of what a nobleman ought to write on such an occasion.

Grey Abbey, April, 1844.

My dear lord,

Circumstances, to which I rejoice that I need not now more
particularly allude, made your last visit at my house a disagreeable
one to both of us. The necessity under which I then laboured, of
communicating to your lordship a decision which was likely to be
inimical to your happiness, but to form which my duty imperatively
directed me, was a source of most serious inquietude to my mind. I
now rejoice that that decision was so painful to you--has been so
lastingly painful; as I trust I may measure your gratification at a
renewal of your connection with my family, by the acuteness of the
sufferings which an interruption of that connexion has occasioned
you.

I have, I can assure you, my lord, received much pleasure from the
visit of your very estimable friend, the Reverend Mr Armstrong; and
it is no slight addition to my gratification on this occasion, to
find your most intimate friendship so well bestowed. I have had much
unreserved conversation to-day with Mr Armstrong, and I am led by
him to believe that I may be able to induce you to give Lady Cashel
and myself the pleasure of your company at Grey Abbey. We shall be
truly delighted to see your lordship, and we sincerely hope that the
attractions of Grey Abbey may be such as to induce you to prolong
your visit for some time.

Perhaps it might be unnecessary for me now more explicitly to allude
to my ward; but still, I cannot but think that a short but candid
explanation of the line of conduct I have thought it my duty to
adopt, may prevent any disagreeable feeling between us, should you,
as I sincerely trust you will, do us the pleasure of joining our
family circl