who know him well say he is a very honest, worthy gentleman—that was the expression.
My Lord Halifax is gone to Rufford, liking the country air very well. My Lady says she wishes he would send for them, and not come for so short a time; as to that, he has said a good while he would go. Poor Mrs. Harvey does not mend her humour at all, she is wilful to such a degree as nobody ever was. The town says that the Countess de Soissons has been here, and gone upon the French Ambassador telling her the King's declaration, that if any accused for poisoning in France did come hither, he would send them to the King of France. That is true, but I know not if her having been here is so. I heard it but last night, and have seen nobody since.
The Duke of Monmouth has so little employment in state affairs, that he has been at leisure to send two fine ladies out of town. My Lord Grey has carried his wife into Northumberland, and my Lady Wentworth's ill eyes did find cause, as she thought, to carry her daughter into the country in so much haste that it makes a great noise, and was done sure in some great passion. My Lord Grey was long in believing the Duke of Monmouth an unfaithful friend to him. He gave her but one
