I have been misunderstood about Stavordale, because just what you tell me you approve of is what I meant to propose, or if I had any conception beyond it, it was from a sudden thought which I retract.  I have said a few words to Charles, but I do not find that he has more intercourse with him than you have.  He says that there can be no doubt of the validity and payment of the debt, and there is no anticipation of it.  But it is not to be expected that Charles should think more of Stavordale’s debt than his own.  He lost in three nights last week 3,000, as he told me himself, and has lent Richard God knows what; the account, and friendship, and want of it, between them is as incomprehensible to me as all the rest of their history.  It is a mystery I shall never enquire into, when what concerns you is out of the question.  I never heard of the same thing in all the first part of my life, and it shall be my own fault if I hear any more of it.

I rode over yesterday to Lord Besborough’s at Roehampton, on purpose to see Lord Fitzwilliam,(120) and had a long discourse with him in the garden.  He was excessively pleased with the account which I gave him of the present state of your affairs, together with your manner of expressing yourself about them.  Every word which dropped from him discovered the real interest which he took in whatever concerned you, and his affection for you.  He is a very valuable young man.

Hare went away without being certain that he was to go to Castle H. He will excuse me if I don’t rely upon his resolutions in parties of pleasure.  But I should have been glad to have known for a certainty that he was to have set out.  I believe March’s money and mine helped to grease his wheels.  March deserves to have lost his, because he was the seducer.  I could not have lost mine if he had kept me to my obligation; but I will not resign my fetters any more.  Welcome, my chains; welcome, Mr. Lowman, the keeper.  I am glad it went no further.

(120) William Wentworth Fitzwilliam, second Earl Fitzwilliam ( 1748-1863).  He began at Eton his lifelong friendship with Fox and Carlisle.  In 1794 he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.

(1775, Aug.?.)—­I am just come from Almack’s.  Many are gone to the Thatched House,(121) to sup with the ladies, as they call it.  These ladies are Lady Essex and Miss Amyas(?).  Richard won last night 1,300 ostensible, besides what he pocketed to keep a corps de reserve unknown to Brooks.  For Brooks lent him 2,300, and then laments the state of the house.  He duns me for three hundred, of which I am determined to give him but two; as he knows so well where to get the other hundred, which is that Richard owes me, but seems determined that I shall not have.  Charles is winning more, and the quinze table is now at its height.  I have set down Brooks to be the completest composition of knave and fool that ever was, to which I may add liar.  You say very true, that I have been in a bank, that I have lost my money, that I want to get it back; but it is as true that I shall make no attempt to get it back till my affairs are quite in another posture from what they are at present; so pray give me no flings about it, for I lay all the blame upon March, who should not have contributed to it.