Edward and Frank are both gone out to seek their
fortunes; the latter is to return soon and help us
seek ours. The former we shall never see again. We
are to be at Astley's to-night, which I am glad
of. Edward has heard from Henry this morning. He
has not been at the races at all, unless his
driving Miss Pearson over to Rowling one day can
be so called. We shall find him there on Thursday.

I hope you are all alive after our melancholy
parting yesterday, and that you pursued your
intended avocation with success. God bless you! I
must leave off, for we are going out.

Yours very affectionately,
J. AUSTEN.

Everybody's love.

Rowling: Thursday [September 1, 1796].

MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--The letter which I have
this moment received from you has diverted me
beyond moderation. I could die of laughter at it,
as they used to say at school. You are indeed the
finest comic writer of the present age.

* * * * *

I am sorry that you found such a conciseness in
the strains of my first letter. I must endeavour
to make you amends for it, when we meet, by some
elaborate details, which I shall shortly begin
composing.

Our men had but indifferent weather for their
visit to Godmersham, for it rained great part of
the way there and all the way back. They found
Mrs. Knight remarkably well and in very good
spirits. It is imagined that she will shortly be
married again. I have taken little George once in
my arms since I have been here, which I thought
very kind.

* * * * *

To-morrow I shall be just like Camilla in Mr.
Dubster's summer-house; for my Lionel will have
taken away the ladder by which I came here, or at
least by which I intended to get away, and here I
must stay till his return. My situation, however,
is somewhat preferable to hers, for I am very
happy here, though I should be glad to get home by
the end of the month. I have no idea that Miss
Pearson will retu