at he
would run a great risk out of it, just at this time. . . . He is
mighty busy in making out his Latin with Littleton's Dictionary,
which I have given him. ... I left Lady Gower and Lady Ann and the
Dunmores at the Ball. The Duchess of Bedford has invited me to
Bedford H(ouse) to see your letter to her. ...

Storer carries this off with such seeming spirits as are certainly
more becoming than an apparent dejection. But I dread to think to
what, I verily believe, that he will be reduced. I utter no
complaint, but I feel the danger I am in, and the distress which it
may occasion to me, and still more Lord N(orth's) abominable
treatment of me. If I had resented it, as many would have done, I
know what might have been said. But I have acted my part well and
steadily, and when I have done all which becomes me to do, I shall
make up my mind to the event.

(222) See earlier in this chapter, paragraph which begins "Notice
was promptly given . . ."

(223) Probably Lord Derby, Edward, twelfth Earl (1752-1834).

(224) William Wilberforce (1759-1833), the abolitionist and
philanthropist; at this time M.P. for Hull and one of Pitt's closest
friends.

(225) The fashionable and courted beauty. The portrait of her and of
her sister, Mrs. Crewe, together as shepherdesses, by Sir Joshua
Reynolds, in 1770, attracted much notice.

(1782, March 22,) Friday m(orning), 11 o'clock.--George seems very
well; his cough is considerably abated, but the weather is so
remarkably wet and bad, that Sir N. T(homas) wishes him to stay
within.

I was at Devonshire H(ouse) till about 4, and then left most of the
company there. All the new supposed Ministers were there except Lord
Rock(ingham), who had probably other business, and perhaps with the
K(ing). Rigby assured me that some one was sent (for?), and if
Charles did not know it, he was more out of the secret than he
thought that he had been. To be sure, the arrangement is entame, la
pillule est avalee, et bien des couloeuvres apres. Charles I left
there; I believe that he had heard what did not come up to his full
satisfaction, so probably a little water is mixed with their wine.
We shall know to-day, for this strange situation of things cannot
remain till Monday; la machine n'est pas construct a pouvoir alter
jusques a la.

I conversed privately a good while with Lord Ashburnham. I have the
greatest opinion of his judgment in the conductive part of life. I
really believe, if any man