self, but I was afraid of making it appear a
less serious matter of feeling than it really is.

* * * * *

From Monday to Wednesday Anna is to be engaged at
Faringdon, in order that she may come in for the
gaieties of Tuesday (the 4th), on Selborne Common,
where there are to be volunteers and felicities of
all kinds. Harriet B[enn] is invited to spend the
day with the John Whites, and her father and
mother have very kindly undertaken to get Anna
invited also.

* * * * *

Poor Anna is suffering from _her_ cold, which is
worse to-day, but as she has no sore throat I hope
it may spend itself by Tuesday. She had a
delightful evening with the Miss
Middletons--syllabub, tea, coffee, singing,
dancing, a hot supper, eleven o'clock, everything
that can be imagined agreeable. She desires her
best love to Fanny, and will answer her letter
before she leaves Chawton, and engages to send her
a particular account of the Selborne day.

* * * * *

How horrible it is to have so many people
killed![230] And what a blessing that one cares
for none of them!

I return to my letter-writing from calling on Miss
Harriot Webb, who is short and not quite straight
and cannot pronounce an R any better than her
sisters; but she has dark hair, a complexion to
suit, and, I think, has the pleasantest
countenance and manner of the three--the most
natural. She appears very well pleased with her
new home, and they are all reading with delight
Mrs. H. More's recent publication.

You cannot imagine--it is not in human nature to
imagine--what a nice walk we have round the
orchard. The row of beech look very well indeed,
and so does the young quickset hedge in the
garden. I hear to-day that an apricot has been
detected on one of the trees. My mother is
perfectly convinced _now_ that she shall not be
overpowered by her cleft-wood, and I believe would
rather have more than less.

God bless you, and I hope June will find you well,
and bring u