29, KING STREET, Sunday, 5th.

I am afraid my pretty plot of coming to you is at an end, and I am
afraid all my chances of coming to you are at an end. I wrote you
yesterday that I was beginning to be doubtful about my further
engagements in London, and was indeed discouraged and troubled at the
aspect of my affairs. This morning, however, comes an express from
M----, beginning a new negotiation with me, and wanting me to open with
Macready at his theatre on the 21st of this month, to act four weeks,
and then renew the engagement for four weeks more.... I do not wish to
depart from the terms I have asked, but am extremely glad of the offer,
and hope he will agree to them. I think it probable that he will,
because my engagement with Macready has been so much talked about, and
he has himself applied to me three several times about it. This puts an
end to all visiting prospects, for Brighton or St. Leonard's, and in
March you will be leaving the latter place. This is a sad
disappointment, but perhaps Mr. M---- will not, after all, give me my
terms, and I ought to be sorrier for that, but I shan't....

I had a visit the other morning from Mr. Blackett--John Blackett. I
don't know if I have spoken of him to you. I met him at Mrs. Mitchell's
in Scotland, while I was staying with her at Carolside, and liked him
very much. He is a great friend of Dr. Hampden's and of Stanley,
Arnold's biographer. He brought me, the other day, a volume of sermons
by Stanley, of which I have just read the first, and have been delighted
with it. How surely does such a spirit as Arnold's beget its own fit
successors!... I think I have not read anything, since his own Life,
that has given me the same deep satisfaction that these sermons of his
pupil have....

That music of Mendelssohn's had a horrid effect upon my nerves; I mean
the emotion and distress it caused me. I suffered a great deal of pain,
and was quite unwell for several days after it. Will it not be a pity if
I can't come and be spoilt any more by you and Dorothy at St. Leonard's?
It was so pleasant and good for you.

Ever as ever yours,
FANNY.

KING STREET, Monday, 7th.

I do very, very well this morning, my dear Hal: this is in answer to
your affectionate inquiry of the 1st; but if you wanted to know then,