LETTER XVIII
July 29.
Dearest Creature,
It’s impossible to express the trouble and uneasyness Mrs. Amond has been in since the last misfortune, which you know of long ere now both from Duncan and her; and to add to her trouble she had not heard from Mr. Ashton for two months, for yours of the 3 and another of the 12 of July only came to her hand last night. I can assure you, both were most acceptable and gave her that quiet of mind which she had not felt of a long time. Duncan told me in his last letter he was to writ to you, and he will inform you better of that unlucky affair and how it now stands than I can doe. But he has acted a winderful part, and has been so far successful to delay it till Mr. Ashton be on a surer footing.... Who knows but it may turn to Mr. Ashton’s advantage, and in the meantime I hop you will soon get a good account of all ... which, if rightly managed, will be of use. Key and Mrs. Amond has both been in pain how to manage everything that could occasion the appearing of what they were earnest to hide as long as Humphray had anything to do in the country. At such a time it’s impossible to think all will succeed as we wold have it; but with Duncan’s diligence we got more time for all than could have been expected, and if it had not been for Duncan, Mr. Ashton wold a been undone by one who has the same relation to Mr. Ashton that Duncan has, but he acted the contrary part and pusht Mr. Ashton’s ruin, and said it was to serve him and his family. How will Mrs. Amond live with that man that has used her best friend so ill? To be just to his wife, she thought it really was as he said; but his actings in that particular has made him odious, and yet I intend to be in good friendship with him, more for his ill than his good.
Key goes to his Country-house this week and intends to go from thence to the Carse (Holland) by way of Airth (London) that he may talk with Duncan, and then go and find Peter (Dr. Erskine) by whose help only we are to expect something done. Mr. Ashton is doubtful if it will doe. No body can say it will or it will not, but as things now are, it seems absolutely necessare to try; and had Mr. Ashton been attainted and the misfortun to follow, there could a been no retrieving; and if Peter doe not secure it before Humphray return, we will be in a very hard state. But there has been so many different turns of providence in that affair, Mrs. Amond has hopes yet, tho’ when she reflects how many difficulties (there are) and perhaps that of Mr. Ashton’s not being willing to agree to terms that may be askt, she fears the worst. But her greatest concern is for Mr. Ashton, and she begs if you do come to the Carse to meet Key or Peter that you may take care not to come where you may be in danger, because the Prints bears that Lord D.(uffus) was taken at Hamburg, and she had rather all want to Pot before Mr. Ashton’s person were in the least danger. It certainly was a right measure for Key to go and see Peter, and the more that a near friend was sent to Peter’s master with a view to prepossess Peter with an ill opinion of Ashton, Key, Duncan and all the rest, that so they might play their own game; and when they hear of Key’s going it will put that family (the Haldanes) mad. Certain it is Humphray has made Peter great offers if he will get his master to agree to what he desires.
I doubt not Duncan will supply you with money, for he is the only person that can do it just now, and he has the effect, so write to him freely.
Mrs. Amond was afraid you had been displeased with her for asking you to leave your society. It was a hardship on her to ask you; but when she thought how much was at stake, and the opportunity lost could never be recalled except Kid had better success, she thought it right to lay it before you; and your being content to yield to your friends and her, makes her both wish and hop it may be done in the manner you wold have it, and she will never wish you to doe anything that may reflect on you or occasion you uneasyness.
If you saw what different affairs Mrs. Amond has every day you wold see it’s impossible for her to leave this place, and indeed, as things now are, she cannot leave it a day; so she has not the least thought of coming tho’ she inclines it very much, but she could not doe it without partly blaming herself, and all the world wold do the same. And as she has always preferr’d Mr. Ashton’s interest to her own satisfaction, she intends to continue in her duty till providence sends her a happy opportunity of seeing that person who is so much the object of her thoughts, and for whom she thinks she can never doe enough; and it’s her satisfaction that, barring the vilainy of that creature (Hamilton) which was no way her fault, all her matters had been as well as could have been expected at such a time. Mr. Ashton’s boys are well.
Dearest Life,
Adieu.
I writ to Duncan last week to send you money that you might not be obligt to wait for it in case you intended to leave the place. May God preserve you and direct you in every particular, and for God’s sake beware of coming where you may be in danger.