the two Gunnings in a pleasurable flutter of excitement.
"Sure, I don't care if I am only to be a countess," said silly, artless Maria, "as long as my lord loves me." But prudent Elizabeth said nothing, she always knew when to be silent and when to speak.
A letter from Maria Gunning to Mrs. Bellamy is given in Frances Gerard's interesting book — Some Celebrated Irish Beauties of the Last Century. The spelling and grammar are both atrocious, but it shows that there was friendship between the actress and the future Countess of Coventry.
Here are a few sentences from it:—
"I received my dearest Mrs. Bellamy's letter after her long silence. Indeed, I was very Jealous with you, but you make me amens by Letting me hear from you now.… , Dublin is the stupites [stupidest] place ……
"I beleive Sheridan can get no one to play with him, he is doing all he can to get funds for himsef to be sure, you have heard he is married for sertain to Miss Chamberlain, a sweet pare.
"I must bid adue, and shall only say I am, my Dr. yours ever affectly
M. Gunning."
The Sheridan mentioned in this letter was the father of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who was organising a theatrical company. At one time
