alf which
have passed since my last letter have not produced
many materials towards filling another sheet of
paper. But, like Mr. Hastings, 'I do not despair,'
and you perhaps, like the faithful Maria, may feel
still more certain of the happy event. I have been
here ever since a quarter after three on Thursday
last, by the Shrewsbury clock, which I am
fortunately enabled absolutely to ascertain
because Mrs. Stent once lived at Shrewsbury, or at
least at Tewksbury. I have the pleasure of
thinking myself a very welcome guest, and the
pleasure of spending my time very pleasantly.
Martha looks well, and wants me to find out that
she grows fat; but I cannot carry my complaisance
farther than to believe whatever she asserts on
the subject. Mrs. Stent gives us quite as much of
her company as we wish for, and rather more than
she used to do; but perhaps not more than is to
our advantage in the end, because it is too dirty
even for such desperate walkers as Martha and I to
get out of doors, and we are therefore confined to
each other's society from morning till night, with
very little variety of books or gowns. Three of
the Miss Debaries[118] called here the morning
after my arrival, but I have not yet been able to
return their civility. You know it is not an
uncommon circumstance in this parish to have the
road from Ibthorp to the Parsonage much dirtier
and more impracticable for walking than the road
from the Parsonage to Ibthorp. I left my Mother
very well when I came away, and left her with
strict orders to continue so.

* * * * *

The endless Debaries are of course very well
acquainted with the lady who is to marry Sir
Thomas, and all her family. I pardon them,
however, as their description of her is
favourable. Mrs. Wapshire is a widow, with several
sons and daughters, a good fortune, and a house in
Salisbury; where Miss Wapshire has been for many
years a distinguished beauty. She is now seven or
eight and twenty, and tho' still handsome, less
handsome than she has been. T