I think I ought to let you know this in justice to you both; and indeed 'tis a great comfort to me to see him so truly kind to you, because I think you are both in your kinds fit to be friends to one another and the best men in the world. Now, for goodness sake, don't laugh at my silly stuff, for 'tis from the abundance of my heart. But now as to another point which nearly concerns us. You must know the[1] Duchess of Portsmouth and my Lord have had a great, or rather many quarrels about this matter, for when you first sent word of the fine letter of Barillon, that abominable Jade would have had the King see Barillon privately; and she directed him what to say, upon which our friend behaved himself like a nightingale, as you perceive; but for which, I am sure, she will never forgive him; and, therefore, my dear Mr. Sidney, by all the ways you can, endeavour to engage him in what may be irreconcilable with that Jade, that would sell all, and does daily grow so odious, that being in any of her affairs were enough to ruin one. I could give you a thousand instances of this, but 'tis not necessary, you being enough of my mind in this matter.
Don't be peevish at my writing all this silly
- ↑ The passages in italic are in cipher.
