e angry with me for beginning another
letter to you. I have read the _Corsair_, mended
my petticoat, and have nothing else to do. Getting
out is impossible. It is a nasty day for
everybody. Edward's[284] spirits will be wanting
sunshine, and here is nothing but thickness and
sleet; and though these two rooms are delightfully
warm, I fancy it is very cold abroad.

* * * * *

_Sunday._--We were quite satisfied with Kean. I
cannot imagine better acting, but the part was too
short; and, excepting him and Miss Smith, and
_she_ did not quite answer my expectation, the
parts were ill filled and the play heavy. We were
too much tired to stay for the whole of _Illusion_
('Nour-jahad'), which has three acts; there is a
great deal of finery and dancing in it, but I
think little merit. Elliston was 'Nour-jahad,' but
it is a solemn sort of part, not at all calculated
for his powers. There was nothing of the _best_
Elliston about him. I might not have known him but
for his voice.

* * * * *

Henry has this moment said that he likes my _M.
P._ better and better; he is in the third volume.
I believe _now_ he has changed his mind as to
foreseeing the end; he said yesterday, at least,
that he defied anybody to say whether H. C. would
be reformed, or would forget Fanny in a fortnight.

I shall like to see Kean again excessively, and to
see him with you too. It appeared to me as if
there were no fault in him anywhere; and in his
scene with 'Tubal' there was exquisite acting.

* * * * *

_Monday._--You cannot think how much my ermine
tippet is admired both by father and daughter. It
was a noble gift.

Perhaps you have not heard that Edward has a good
chance of escaping his lawsuit. His opponent
'knocks under.' The terms of agreement are not
quite settled.

We are to see _The Devil to Pay_ to-night. I
expect to be very much amused. Excepting Miss
Stephens, I daresay _Artaxerxes_ will be very
tiresome.

* * *