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least openly, matters of money and business, but—dear Lizzie—we know each other too well to adhere wholly or even in most part to such protocols. Say rather, that we might even delight explicitly in discussing such matters, since I am proud of being a merchant’s niece and grown up in the trade and I know you have never been one to truckle to the opinions of others, especially in matters of pride and prejudice. At least that is how I recall your character, which I should be astonished (and dismayed) to find much changed since last we met and since your recent marriage—no matter how elevated your status may now be. Am I right in this?
    The Gardiners mentioned that you might be in town in a fortnight’s time, accompanied by your new sister-in-law (who sounds lovely—I am anxious to make her acquaintance, if that suits). If so, I insist that you visit with us, and for more than just a cup of tea! Let us regain our former familiarity and revel in confidences shared between us.
    With much affection,
Your Sally
    P.S. I may have cause—as part of this business I refer to above—to visit the West Country. It involves the procurement of “china clay,” about which I can tell you more in person. I know that you—and your husband—may have reason to visit Bath from time to time;—if so, I could easily contrive to pass through that city in either direction, with the sole purpose of stopping to see you.

To Sir John Barrow, Second Secretary of the Admiralty,
    to be delivered in person by Lt. Thracemorton
    7 th inst.
    Sir, with respect and in utmost confidence:
    Kidlington remains as glib and effusive as he was when first your man brought him to me, but under his pasquinades and fooleries runs a river of cankerous thought that bodes badly (in my opinion). If he be your tool, then be alert to which edge he applies towards you and your objectives, my lord.
    Howsomever that might be, today I write primarily to confirm my letter of the 29 th
ultimo, viz
. my concerns about possible attentions that Kidlington’s activities may have attracted from dubious and insalubrious persons.
    I will entrust some of my report directly and in unwritten form to Lieutenant Thracemorton (who has been exceeding competent in the discharge of his duties). For now, allow me only to say that:
    a) Kidlington’s old creditors, notwithstanding the full extinguishment and surcheance of all his debts (as you recall, we even had writs of decerniture issued in Edinburgh under Scottish law), clearly retain some interest in his affairs. Quilp, Merdle and others dog his steps, and Tulkinghorn has asked me also about Kidlington, which cannot augur well.
    b) Yet odder names are also bandied about, many of them of foreign provenance—some of which those with long memories in London’s commerce will recall with unease,
e.g.
, Coppelius, Prinn & Goethals (Widow).
    Otherwise, on that other (but—I am confident—related) matter, the McDoons are taking many and concrete steps to launch, further and realize the Project, the general outline of which I described to you earlier. As I am their firm’s and family’s lawyer I fear I may soon come upon a severe conflict of interest, insofar as the Project is a private commercial matter, the details of which I could not in good faith reveal unless His Majesty’s Government were to issue a decree so authorizing me to disclose such details, specifically commanding me in fact to do so, and waiving any and all liabilities I might incur or damages I might suffer and holding me harmless from any claims brought against me as a result of said disclosure.
    I will write again as soon as fresh news comes to hand. Until then, I am your most obedient servant,
    —Mr. Sedgewick, Esq.

From Sir John Barrow to Lord Melville,
    First Secretary of the Navy
    Memorial in greatest confidence,
    on the first day after the Shad Moon.
    My lord:
    I recommend the Admiralty authorize an investment of ten thousand pounds sterling in the Project