in exchanged the tumults of the capital
for the exquisite enjoyments and freedom of home. As we traversed
the venerable avenue at Silsea, amid the acclamations of my assembled
tenantry, I formed the resolution never again to desert the dwelling of
my ancestors; but having now entered into the bonds of domestic life,
to seek from them alone the future enjoyments of existence. I had in
one respect immediate reason to congratulate myself on the change of
our destiny, for Theresa, whose health had for some months gradually
declined, soon regained her former strength in the quiet of the country.
She occupied herself constantly in some active employment. The interests
of the sick, the poor, and the decrepit, led her frequently to the
village; where I doubt not you have often heard her named with gratitude
and affection; and when she returned to the castle, the self-content of
gratified benevolence spread a glow over her countenance which almost
dispelled the clouds of sorrow still lingering there. All went well with
us, and if I dared not flatter myself with being passionately beloved, I
felt assured that I should in time obtain her entire confidence.

"I was beginning to look forward with the happy anxiety of affection to
the event of Lady Greville's approaching confinement, when one morning I
was surprised by the arrival of a courier with a letter from the Duke of
Buckingham. I was astonished that he should take the trouble of renewing
a correspondence with me; as a very slight degree of friendship had
originally subsisted between us; and the displeasure publicly testified
by Charles on my hasty removal from his service, had hitherto freed
me from the importunities of my courtier acquaintance. The letter was
apparently one of mere complimentary inquiry after the health of Lady
Greville, to whom there was an enclosure, addressed to Miss Marchmont,
which he begged me to deliver with his respectful services to my
much-esteemed lady. He concluded with announcing some public news of
a nature highly gratifying to every Briton, in the detail of a great
victory obtained by our fleet over the Dutch admiral, De Ruyter. It
was that, my Helen, in which your noble brother fell, a the moment of
obtaining one of the most signal successes hitherto recorded in the
naval annals of our country. You were too young to be conscious of the
public sympathy testified towards this intrepid and unfortunate man,
but I may safely affirm with the crafty