r hats is the best that _is_, for a shower
don't hurt 'em, the least that _are_," quoth an old countrywoman to Mrs.
FitzHugh, comparing the respective merits of beaver and straw.)

Only think, Hal, what an enchanting man this landlord of ours must be!
He has had his pianoforte tuned, and actually proposes sending it up
into one of these rooms for my use. I incline to think the difficulty
with him is not so much having a woman in the house, as a natural desire
to receive a larger compensation if he takes this woman--me--in.

God bless you, dear. I feel happy in the almost certain prospect of
being with you before very long, and you cannot imagine how much my
heart is lightened by the more hopeful circumstances in which I think I
am placed....

Good-bye, dear Hal. Give my love to Dorothy, and believe me

Ever yours,
FANNY.

November 29th, 1845.

I have just returned home from a dinner at Mrs. Procter's. It is a
quarter to twelve o'clock, and until twelve I will write to you, my dear
Hal. I found your ink-bottle on my table. Thank you. This is my
birthday. Did you give it me on that account?--a compliment to the
anniversary. I have not written so much as usual to you these last few
days; my time is very much taken up; for, even at this dead season of
the year, as it is called in London, I have many morning visitors, who
come and sit with me a long while, during which time no letters get
written. I wrote to you last on Wednesday, the day on which my father
was to come to town. At one o'clock, accordingly, he marched in, looking
extremely well, kissed me, opened his letters, wrote me a check for L10,
and at five o'clock went off to Brighton again, telling me he should
remain there until next Monday week, and, in the mean time, bidding me
"_amuse myself_, and make myself as comfortable as I could." ...

It is past twelve now, and I am getting tired; the late hours and good
dinners and wine and coffee are a wonderful change in my American
habits of life, and seem to me more pleasant than wholesome, after the
much simpler mode of existence to which I have become accustomed
latterly. I took a good long walk on Friday, across the Green Park and
St. James's Park to Spring Gardens, and up the Strand to Coutts', and
home again....

I had a pleasant dinner yesterday at Lady Essex'