"November 28. 1813.
"Send another copy (if not too much of a request) to Lady Holland
of the _Journal_[111], in my name, when you receive this; it is for
_Earl Grey_--and I will relinquish my _own_. Also to Mr. Sharpe,
and Lady Holland, and Lady Caroline Lamb, copies of 'The Bride' as
soon as convenient.
"P.S. Mr. Ward and myself still continue our purpose; but I shall
not trouble you on any arrangement on the score of The Giaour and
The Bride till our return,--or, at any rate, before _May_,
1814,--that is, six months from hence: and before that time you
will be able to ascertain how far your offer may be a losing one;
if so, you can deduct proportionably; and if not, I shall not at
any rate allow you to go higher than your present proposal, which
is very handsome, and more than fair.[112]
"I have had--but this must be _entre nous_--a very kind note, on
the subject of 'The Bride,' from Sir James Mackintosh, and an
invitation to go there this evening, which it is now too late to
accept."
[Footnote 111: Penrose's Journal, a book published by Mr. Murray at this
time.]
[Footnote 112: Mr. Murray had offered him a thousand guineas for the two
poems.]
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