broke in upon her, but to me she gave leave; she is as much afflicted as is possible. She will not endure to hear his will, nor of it; but Sir John Cook has told her she must, it could not be executed from others. I hear he has given a great deal in present to his relations, which was well done, for she will have ten times more than she will know what to do with.
I suppose now the most factious people will not say the Dutch have agreed with France and broke with us; within these two days Tom Pelham and Montague believed it, so as to make me angry. They, instead of improving by Sir William Jones, will be quite spoiled; there is not a lie out of any mutinous shop in town but they believe it.
I think I have almost ended our marriage treaty before my brother Pelham comes. I have sent for him, but our poor sister has had low fits of a tertian ague; how far I have gone I will tell you; in short, I had leave to offer £7000 upon the marriage rather than have broke it. I believe £8000 would have been given, but I had order to get one thousand not to be paid till my brother dies, so I have done it for the portion. The jointure was left to me. I demanded £1000 a year and his London house, and I have got it; I will make her
