_Aug. 3._
SAD news! A courier came from home last night with the mournful tidings
that my Lord's little son seems to be failing fast, and begging us to
hurry home as quickly as possible, that they may have the benefit of
my mother's counsel. Alas, poor little boy! I can see that my mother
has little hope of finding him alive, from the account which Master
Ellenwood writes of his state. Jasper Ellenwood, who hath been bred a
physician in the best Dutch and Paris schools, is at the Court night
and day, but he gives little encouragement.
We leave to-morrow. Joyce is quite heart-broken at leaving Mistress
Grace, to whom, since their quarrel, she hath greatly attached herself,
and bestows some of her tears also upon a beautiful young Spanish cat *
which Cousin Joslyn hath bestowed on her. Father says she may take it
home if she can get one of the men to carry it. The choughs, her other
pets, she leaves with Cousin Joslyn to be taught to speak.
* What we now call a tortoise-shell—then a mighty rarity.—D. C.
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