_Sir Arthur St. Ives to Abimelech Henley_
_London, Grosvenor Street_
Mr. Henley,
Sir, I have received your letter, which I must acknowledge is far more
satisfactory and in a more proper style than your last, at which I
cannot but own I was exceedingly surprised.
With respect to your son, I must say that he is a young gentleman of
very great merit; and though a marriage into the family of St. Ives is
a thing that he certainly has no right to expect, yet I cannot deny
that your proposal deserves some consideration; inasmuch as you now
come forward like a man, and have likewise a recollection of propriety.
Neither do I forget, good sir, what you have hinted concerning
Wenbourne-Hill, which is far from disagreeable to me. And though there
are many impediments, for which I cannot altogether answer just at
present, yet I think it very probable that this affair should end in
something like the manner you desire. I accordingly expect, Mr. Henley,
you will have the kindness to stop proceedings relative to the
foreclosures.
In return for which I assure you, on my honour, I will do everything
that becomes a gentleman to bring the affair to a proper conclusion.
And as I have a very great respect for your son, and think very highly
of his parts, and learning, and all that, I find when things come to be
considered that he perhaps may make my daughter more happy, and the
match may have other greater conveniences than perhaps one that might
seem to the other branches of my family more suitable.
But I know that for the present it will be opposed by Lord Fitz-Allen;
and though I do not think proper to be governed by him or any man, yet
I could rather wish not to come to an open rupture with so near a
relation.
It will perhaps be thought derogatory by some other branches of the
family. But my daughter has a very high opinion of the good qualities
of your son; and she reminds me continually that he has done us many
signal services, which I assure you, Mr. Henley, I am very willing to
remember.
When things shall be in a proper train, I imagine it will be our best
way of proceeding to pay off all mortgages on Wenbourne-Hill, together
with the sum for the docking of the entail to my son Edward, and to
settle the estate in reversion on our children and their issue; my
rental being made subject to the payment of legal interest to your son
for the fifty thousand pounds. But we will consider further on these
things when matters are ripe.
In the mean time, be pleased to send me up one thousand pounds for
present current expences, which you will place to account. And now I
hope, good sir, we shall from this time be upon proper terms: in
expectation of which I remain with all friendly intentions,