over, and all ended well so far as you and
yours are concerned. And I am always your ancient

LITTLE G.

LXXXIX. {211b}

[_March_, 1881.]

MY DEAR LADY,

It was very, very good and kind of you to write to me about Spedding.
Yes: Aldis Wright had apprised me of the matter just after it happened--he
happening to be in London at the time; and but two days after the
accident heard that Spedding was quite calm, and even cheerful; only
anxious that Wright himself should not be kept waiting for some
communication which S. had promised him! Whether to live, or to die, he
will be Socrates still.

Directly that I heard from Wright, I wrote to Mowbray Donne to send me
just a Post Card--daily if he or his wife could--with but one or two
words on it--'Better,' 'Less well,' or whatever it might be. This
morning I hear that all is going on even better than could be expected,
according to Miss Spedding. But I suppose the Crisis, which you tell me
of, is not yet come; and I have always a terror of that French
Adage--'_Monsieur se porte mal_--_Monsieur se porte mieux_--_Monsieur
est_'--Ah, you know--or you guess, the rest.

My dear old Spedding, though I have not seen him these twenty years and
more--and probably should never see him again--but he lives--his old
Self--in my heart of hearts; and all I hear of him does but embellish the
recollection of him--if it could be embellished--for he is but the same
that he was from a Boy--all that is best in Heart and Head--a man that
would be incredible had one not known him.

I certainly should have gone up to London--even with Eyes that will
scarce face the lamps of Woodbridge--not to see him, but to hear the
first intelligence I could about him. But I rely on the Postcard for but
a Night's delay. Laurence, Mowbray tells me, had been to see him, and
found him as calm as had been reported by Wright. But the Doctors had
said that he should be kept as quiet as possible.

I think, from what Mowbray also says, that you may have seen our other
old Friend Donne in somewhat worse plight than usual because of his being
much shocked at this Accident. He would feel it indeed!--as you do.

I had even thought of writing to tell you of all this, but could not but
suppose that you were more likely to know of it than myself; though
sometimes one is greatly mistaken with those 'of course you knows,
etc.'--But you have known it all: and have very kindly written of it to
me, whom you