God's holy will, and content in the belief
that my dear daughter's married life will be a happy one.

They have gone abroad for their holiday--to Switzerland, by way
of France. I was anything rather than pleased when I heard that my
son-in-law proposed to take Felicia to that sink of iniquity, Paris. He
knows already what I think of balls and playhouses, and similar devils'
diversions, and how I have brought up my daughter to think of them--the
subject having occurred in conversation among us more than a week since.
That he could meditate taking a child of mine to the headquarters of
indecent jiggings and abominable stage-plays, of spouting rogues and
painted Jezebels, was indeed a heavy blow.

However, Felicia reconciled me to it in the end. She declared that her
only desire in going to Paris was to see the picture-galleries, the
public buildings, and the fair outward aspect of the city generally.
"Your opinions, father, are my opinions," she said; "and Marmaduke, I am
sure, will so shape our arrangements as to prevent our passing a Sabbath
in Paris." Marmaduke not only consented to this (with the perfect good
temper of which I have observed more than one gratifying example in
him), but likewise assured me that, speaking for himself personally, it
would be a relief to him when they got to the mountains and the lakes.
So that matter was happily settled. Go where they may, God bless and
prosper them!

Speaking of relief, I must record that Judith has gone away to Aberdeen
on a visit to some friends. "You'll be wretched enough here," she said
at parting, "all by yourself." Pure vanity and self-complacence! It may
be resignation to her absence, or it may be natural force of mind, I
began to be more easy and composed the moment I was alone, and this
blessed state of feeling has continued uninterruptedly ever since.

V.

September 5th.--A sudden change in my life, which it absolutely startles
me to record. I am going to London!

My purpose in taking this most serious step is of a twofold nature. I
have a greater and a lesser object in view.

The greater object is to see my daughter, and to judge for myself
whether certain doubts on the vital question of her happiness, which now
torment me night and day, are unhappily founded on truth. She and her
husband returned in August from their wedding-tour, and took up their
abode in Marmaduke's new residence in London. Up to this time, Felicia's
letters to me were, in very t