ut Sir Thos. from
walking with the other men to the stables, &c.,
the very day after his breaking his arm; for,
though I find your papa did walk out immediately
after _his_ arm was set, I think it can be so
little usual as to appear unnatural in a book.

* * * * *

Lyme will not do. Lyme is towards forty miles'
distance from Dawlish and would not be talked of
there. I have put Starcross instead. If you prefer
Exeter that must be always safe.

I have also scratched out the introduction between
Lord Portman and his brother and Mr. Griffin. A
country surgeon (don't tell Mr. C. Lyford) would
not be introduced to men of their rank.

* * * * *

I _do_ think you had better omit Lady Helena's
postscript. To those that are acquainted with
_Pride and Prejudice_ it will seem an imitation.

* * * * *

We are reading the last book. They must be two
days going from Dawlish to Bath. They are nearly
100 miles apart.

_Thursday._--We finished it last night after our
return from drinking tea at the Great House. The
last chapter does not please us quite so well; we
do not thoroughly like the play, perhaps from
having had too much of plays in that way
lately,[339] and we think you had better not leave
England. Let the Portmans go to Ireland; but as
you know nothing of the manners there, you had
better not go with them. You will be in danger of
giving false representations. Stick to Bath and
the Foresters. There you will be quite at home.

Your Aunt C. does not like desultory novels, and
is rather afraid yours will be too much so, that
there will be too frequently a change from one set
of people to another, and that circumstances will
be sometimes introduced of apparent consequence
which will lead to nothing. It will not be so
great an objection to _me_ if it does. I allow
much more latitude than she does, and think nature
and spirit cover many sins of a wandering story,
and people in general do not care so much about it
for your c