Scripto | Transcribe Page

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& it has been constantly my wish to see our amiable Friend again united to a worthy man thinking her of all women of my acquaintance the most formed to make such a state happy to him & herself - yet I had not an idea that she had a thought of changing her situation at present. It is generally agreed that never was such a secret so well kept in a country town. Only her Father & Mother it seems knew it till within this week - not even her brother & sister, & M.^r & M.^rs Gough, who attended her to church.

Till that instant all her servants were in perfect ignorance tho poor old Thomas who was almost petrified with despair on the sudden loss (as he conceived) of his mistress tells me he had a suspicion on the preceding evening when Tom’s friend Peter was dispatched with a single horse to Matlock. They sat off in a hack post chaise from the church door & are going a tour of about a month before they settle in Derby, as M.^rs Banton tells me who called on me very obligingly I fancy at the