well, too--for them.
Little Susy really has some colour. They are especially fond
of the _Parc Monceau_, and this charming out-of-door life
that is so easy here will do wonders for them, I'm sure.
That east wind of Boston--ugh, how I loathe it!

I feel so busy and so self-respecting--independence agrees
with me. You see, with my few hundreds from father, and
these letters, and the little income Roger got for me, with
the principal put away for the children, I shall do very
well indeed and owe "nothing to nobody." And when Susy gets
old enough, I'm going to have her taught something--trade or
profession, _n'importe!_--that will make her as independent
as I am to-day. I think it is criminal not to. Then she
needn't marry unless she wants to.

I wonder if you realise how many women marry to get away
from home? Few men do, I imagine. It's not particularly
flattering to you, _messieurs_, but it's the truth. I had
four sisters, and I know!

You have heard, I suppose, that Margarita is actually in
training for the opera? It was very exciting--Mme. M----i is
really at the bottom of it, I think, though everybody agrees
with her to this extent: the child really has extraordinary
talent, and with her face and figure will be sure of
success, one would think. Of course her voice is not
phenomenal--I doubt if it is big enough for the New York
opera house. How Frederick used to rail at that building!
They wanted him to play there once, you know, at some big
benefit. He always said no respectable human voice could be
judged there--it seems the acoustics is wrong. But it is an
exceptionally fine voice, nevertheless, and so pure and
unspoiled. She had nothing to unlearn, literally, and her
acting, Madame says, is superb. She can memorise anything,
and in such a short time!

But for a Bradley! Madame is furious that she is married.
There are plenty to have babies and live in America, she
says, without her little Marguerite! _M. le mari_ does not
appreciate what a jewel he wishes to shut up, she says--but
I am not so sure of that! Whether he is really going to let
her or is only humouring her, I don't know. It is rather an
embarrassing situation, _au fond_, because you know what she
is--calm, lovely, enchanting--what you will, but absol