malicious, for Tom Pelham has been with me since: he says, for our niece, she is, he thinks, as well pleased as he has seen any body. My sister is very well satisfied as to the fortune and the probability of her living well, but she loves more compliments and mirth than she will ever find. I prepared her, as well as I could, not to expect it. He is not a pleasant man—very few are; neither is he the very next sort for entertainment. One thing pleased: when he said, "With all my worldly goods I thee endow," he put a purse upon the book with 200 guineas; every body puts somewhat, but this is the most I have heard. They will be here before Easter, and then you shall hear more.
Mr. Mountague goes no more to Madame Mazarine; the town says he is forbid; whether his love or his politics were too pressing, I know not. I hear he has lately endeavoured to make his peace at court; but it will not be, and he is reduced to spend much of his time at my Lady Oxford's. Perhaps you will think I express it ill, but no matter for that. The Duchess of Modena may be come, but I do not know it; I do know that nobody will go to her nor to the Duchess when she is with her.
