In the summer of 1871 his name was connected by the rumour, or gossip, of the day with that of the charming ward of a well-known Catholic peeress, whose hospitality had often been extended to him on the occasions of his visits to London. Bute took the opportunity, when writing to an old friend on whose sympathy he could rely, to deny categorically the truth of the rumour in question, and at the same time to give expression with his usual frankness to the feelings of dissatisfaction and discontent with which he was entering on his twenty-fifth year. Cardiff Castle, _July_ 29, 1871. MY DEAR MISS SKENE, As there is, I fear, little chance of my being in Oxford just now, I will not delay longer in replying to your kind letter. I had not seen the reports to which you refer, although I knew that they had been circulated by the scandalmongers of the press. I may tell you at {105} once--I had meant to do so before--that there is no truth in them whatever. There is no engagement between Miss ---- and myself, and nothing is less likely than that there ever should be. I will tell you all about it some day when I see you, or in a future letter: I cannot write more about it at present, except to say that here I am thrown out on the world again, feeling very lonely and desolate. My future, indeed, looks pretty blank just now, as you may imagine easily enough. There is nothing for it but to go on one's way, trying to do one's duty--and literature. I have also a considerable taste for art and archæology, and happily the means to indulge them. When I return from Ober Ammergau, whither I go next month, to see the Passion Play, I shall do a little yachting in home waters, and then return here for the autumn and winter. There is plenty to do here, of course; and building, archæology, and writing will perhaps help me to forget my troubles. After Christmas this place will be unbearable, and I think I shall go to Bute. Yours ever very sincerely, BUTE. [Sidenote: 1872, Engagement and Marriage]