But he thanks [_sic_] for having thought of writing to him upon the melancholy occurrence. There were no letters exchanged after this for many weeks. Miss J.'s health improved slowly, and through her sister funds were supplied for her maintenance. The next entry of any interest in the Diary is dated November 9th:-- "I have felt _dreadfully shocked_ to day at reading a report of the Duke's death which thank God, is false! [Endnote 13] O that I may be enabled to write to him expressions of my feelings, if such be The Lord's will! I find I feel more than I had imagined was possible! having suffered exceedingly at this report and at length have addressed him as follows: 'O My dear Duke, for I cannot use formality under my present excited, distressed feelings, having been so shocked by that dreadful Advertisement in the Times of this day, saying you were gone forever! This God in His infinite mercy has proved to be false, having spared you, I trust, for a far more glorious end than the one therein described. For this I can never thank him sufficiently, subscribing myself consequently with additional gratitude "'His devoted Child and Servant "A. J. "'P.S. I have been six weeks confined to my room, inflammation having taken place on the day after I wrote you last. O that God in these troublous threatening times may guide and counsel you to act as He would have you do to Whom I beseech you to look for the same most prayerfully.'" As Miss J. received no reply to the above, she wrote again. This time her epistle was in sharp contrast with her preceding semi-affectionate note. She arraigned the Duke for his silence, and succeeded in provoking a response:-- STRATHFIELDSAYE, Dec. 21, 1850. Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents His Compliments to Miss J.! He understood from a former letter; that it was Miss J.'s desire never to hear from the Duke again! Therefore he did not write! nor should he write now! excepting a mere matter of Courtesy! He thus finally takes His leave! WELLINGTON. CHAPTER XII. CONCLUSION. Miss J. was in nowise dismayed by the crushing reply she received from the Duke. She wrote again and again, and yet again. These letters, of which she has left copies, are made up in about equal parts of accounts of her health, verses of Scripture, and reproaches to the Duke for his silence. She at last extorted an answer:-- LONDON, January 17, 1851. It is very satisfactory to me to learn from the receipt of this Day of a Letter of the 16^th that Miss J. is better! And I write to thank her for giving me the satisfactory Information! I hope to hear of her continued convalescence and perfect Recovery of her Health! Most faithfully Her Obedient Humble Servant WELLINGTON. The Duke's next note was less amicable:--