ys be at _my_ service. In short, I
am soothed and complimented into tolerable
comfort.

To-morrow Mr. Haden is to dine with us. There is
happiness! We really grow so fond of Mr. Haden
that I do not know what to expect. He, and Mr.
Tilson, and Mr. Philips made up our circle of wits
last night; Fanny played, and he sat and listened
and suggested improvements, till Richard came in
to tell him that 'the doctor was waiting for him
at Captn. Blake's'; and then he was off with a
speed that you can imagine. He never does appear
in the least above his profession, or out of
humour with it, or I should think poor Captn.
Blake, whoever he is, in a very bad way.

Yours very affectionately,
J. AUSTEN.

I have been listening to dreadful insanity. It is
Mr. Haden's firm belief that a person _not_
musical is fit for every sort of wickedness. I
ventured to assert a little on the other side, but
wished the cause in abler hands.

Hans Place: Sunday [November 26, 1815].

I _did_ mention the P. R. in my note to Mr.
Murray; it brought me a fine compliment in return.
Whether it has done any other good I do not know,
but Henry thought it worth trying.

The printers continue to supply me very well. I am
advanced in Vol. III. to my _arra_-root, upon
which peculiar style of spelling there is a modest
query in the margin. I will not forget Anna's
arrowroot. I hope you have told Martha of my first
resolution of letting nobody know that I _might_
dedicate, &c., for fear of being obliged to do it,
and that she is thoroughly convinced of my being
influenced now by nothing but the most mercenary
motives.

* * * * *

Then came dinner and Mr. Haden, who brought good
manners and clever conversation. From 7 to 8 the
harp; at 8 Mrs. L. and Miss E. arrived, and for
the rest of the evening the drawing-room was thus
arranged: on the sofa side the two ladies, Henry,
and myself, making the best of it; on the opposite
sid