I advance, without asking for the letters, which I have already asked for.  Perhaps you may make him ashamed of his infamous proceedings by talking of me, without taking notice that you know of his threats, only of my dealings.  I take this method to be the most likely to work upon him.  I beg you would send me a full and true account of this detestable affair (enclosed to Mrs. Murray).  If I had not been the most unlucky creature in the world, his letter would have come while you were here, that I might have shewed you both his note and the other people’s.  I knew he was discontented, but was far from imagining a possibility of this thing.  I give you a great deal of trouble, but you see I shall owe you the highest obligation if you can serve me:  the very endeavouring of it is a tie upon me to serve you the rest of my life without reserve and with eternal gratitude.”

[Twickenham, 1721.]

“I am now at Twickenham:  ’tis impossible to tell you, dear sister, what agonies I suffer every post-day; my health really suffers so much from my fears, that I have reason to apprehend the worst consequences.  If that monster acted on the least principles of reason, I should have nothing to fear, since ’tis certain that after he has exposed me he will get nothing by it.  Mr. Wortley can do nothing for his satisfaction I am not willing to do myself.  I desire not the least indulgence of any kind.  Let him put his affair into the hands of any lawyer whatever.  I am willing to submit to any examination; ’tis impossible to make a fairer offer than this is:  whoever he employs may come to me hither on several pretences.  I desire nothing from him, but that he would send no letters nor messages to my house at London, where Mr. Wortley now is.  I am come hither in hopes of benefit from the air, but I carry my distemper about me in an anguish of mind that visibly decays my body every day.  I am too melancholy to talk of any other subject.  Let me beg you (dear sister) to take some care of this affair, and think you have it in your power to do more than save the life of a sister that loves you.”

[Twickenham, 1721.]

“I give you many thanks (my dear sister) for the trouble you have given yourself in my affair; but am afraid ’tis not yet effectual.  I must beg you to let him know I am now at Twickenham, and that whoever has his procuration may come here on divers pretences, but must by no means go to my house at London.  I wonder you can think Lady Stafford has not writ to him; she shewed me a long plain letter to him several months ago; as a demonstration he received it, I saw his answer.  ’Tis true she treated him with the contempt he deserved, and told him she would never give herself the trouble of writing again to so despicable a wretch.  She is willing to do yet further, and write to the Duke of Villeroi about it, if I think it proper.  Remond does nothing but lie, and either does not, or will not, understand what is said to him.  You will forgive me troubling you so often with this business; the importance of it is the best excuse; in short,