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 ever went through life with consummate discretion, it has been himself, and he has preserved his reputation at the same time, or else I should not give his conduct this eloge.  He asked me after you in the most obliging and interesting (sic) manner, and solicitude about the part you would act, not hinting a doubt of your not performing it well, but with great expressions of esteem.  He hoped much that you would take this opportunity, as he said, of leaving Ireland.  He said that it would be laying the foundation of a very brilliant situation to you at another time.  He is very much in the right.  I could not, to be sure, explain all the difficulties in the way of this.  There are none, indeed, comparatively speaking.