The death of the eldest, Henry, in 1824 transformed Lord John into Marquis of Titchfield, heir to the Dukedom and enormous estates of the House of Portland.

With all his splendid advantages of birth and fortune he does not appear to have sought for a wife among the aristocratic families of the land, and it is said that he only made one offer of marriage in his life; at least that was known to his friends.  This was to Miss Adelaide Kemble, the celebrated actress.

The tempting proposal was probably made some time between June and October, 1834, when the lady was twenty-five years of age and the Marquis thirty-four.

Judge of his astonishment when she had to confess to him that it was impossible for her to accept his offer as she was already secretly married.

She was at the height of her popularity on the stage, having achieved a splendid triumph in redeeming the fallen fortunes of her family, and though married to another, she cherished kindly remembrances of the noble suitor who made her the proud offer of a ducal coronet.

In reading the “Records” of Fanny Kemble (Adelaide’s sister), it is impossible not to be struck with her high ideals and lofty sentiments.  Now and then there is an allusion to the Marquis, which shows him in a welcome light and how delicate were his attentions.

On December 1st, 1842, writing to “My dearest Harriet,” she says:—­“Lord Titchfield, who was here yesterday, begged me to ascertain from you whether it is only my bust that you desire, or whether you would like to have casts from my father’s and from the two of Adelaide.  Write me word, dear, that the magnificent Marquis may fulfil your wishes, which he is only waiting to know in order to send the one or the four heads to you in Ireland.”

Then in a note she explains:—­“The Marquis of Titchfield was employing the French sculptor, Dantan, to make busts of my father, my sister, and myself, for him, and most kindly gave me casts of them all, and sent my friend, Miss St. Leger, a cast of mine.”

On January 6th, 1843, there is another letter to “Dearest Hal,” containing the following allusion:—­“I have sent your wishes to Lord Titchfield, and I am sure they will be quickly complied with.  I have no idea that he means otherwise than to give you my bust; any other species of transaction being apparently quite out of his line, and giving his especial gift.  I have, nevertheless, taken pains to make clear to him your intentions in the matter; I have desired him to have the bust forwarded to the care of Mr. Green, because I thought you would easily find means of transporting it thence to Ardgillan.  Was this right?”

“Blessings on Lord Titchfield” invokes Fanny Kemble, in a letter dated from Liverpool, May 4th, 1843:—­“I wrote to you last thing last night, dearest Hal, and now farewell!  I have received a better account of my father.  Dear love to Dorothy, and my last dear love to you.  I shall write and send no more loves to anyone.  Lord Titchfield—­blessings on him!—­has sent me a miniature of my father and four different ones of Adelaide, God bless you, dear.  Good-bye.”