Autograph Letter Signed

The famed English hostess par excellence at age 18 married the 41-year-old Robert Crewe-Milnes, at that time The Lord Houghton (1885-95) and later the Earl of Crewe (1895-1911) and Marquess of Crewe (1911-1945), British politician and statesman who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1882-95), Leader of the House of Lords (1908-16) and twice as Lord President of the Council (1905-08, 1915-16). ALS written on behalf of and signed for her husband, 3pp (lettersheet), 7½" X 5", n.p., 1907 July 23. Addressed to "My dear George." Near fine. Boldly penned in black ink on letterhead bearing the oval blindstamp at top of first page of "Privy Council Office," the 26-year-old Marchioness of Crew here pens a retained draft of one of her husband's letters, noting "Private" at upper left of first page. Interesting if cryptic, reading in part: "I need not say that we desire to proceed with great caution in the matters which the B[isho]p of Birmingham wishes us to discuss tomorrow & that we shall give all due weight to the opinions which you and others express on behalf of Oxford. Nothing very definite I imagine will come of the debate: but it ought to be an interesting discussion. I hope you are tolerably well? I wish we could have a tall one of these days...." She signs off "(sd) Crewe" and adds a postscript. Most unusual in this format.