compliment _before marriage_. I hope sincerely that I shall not
live to see that day. If you always have those cheerful thoughts,
how very pleasant and gay you must be.

Adieu, my dearest friend. Take care of yourself if you love me,
as I have _no wish_ that you should _visit_ that _beautiful_ and
_romantic_ scene, the burying-place. Adieu, once more, and
believe that you are loved very sincerely by

C. C.

[Footnote 142: ["I had a visit from Mr. Haliburton to-day,
and asked him all about your brother, who was two years in
his house. My father is Mr. Haliburton's relation and chief,
as he represents a very old family of that name. When you go
to the south of Scotland with me, you will see their
burying-place, now all that remains with my father of a very
handsome property. It is one of the most beautiful and
romantic scenes you ever saw, among the ruins of an old
abbey. When I die, Charlotte, you must cause my bones to be
laid there; but we shall have many happy days before that, I
hope."--Scott to Miss Carpenter, November 22,
1797.--_Familiar Letters_, vol. i. p. 8.]]

December 10.

If I could but really believe that my letter gave you only half
the pleasure you express, I should almost think, my dearest
Scott, that I should get very fond of writing merely for the
pleasure to _indulge_ you--that is saying a great deal. I hope
you are sensible of the compliment I pay you, and don't expect I
shall _always_ be so pretty behaved. You may depend on me, my
dearest friend, for fixing as _early_ a day as I possibly can;
and if it happens to be not quite so soon as you wish, you must
not be angry with me. It is very unlucky you are such a bad
housekeeper--as I am no better. I shall try. I hope to have very
soon the pleasure of seeing you, and to tell you how much I love
you; but I wish the first fortnight was over. With all my love,
and those sort of pretty things--adieu.

CHARLOTTE

P. S.--_Etudiez {p.263} votre Francais._ Remember you are to
teach me Italian in return, but I shall be but a stupid scholar.
_Aimez Charlotte._

CARLISLE, De