u a present in return for the set of studs which
you gave him on his birthday, when you, no doubt, will give him
something.

As to your brown cloak which II gave you, &c. &c., I request that on
your birthday when he makes you his usual present, whatever it may be,
you accept it and say, "I thank you," and, without even looking at it,
put it upon the table, immediately speak of something else, and when he
has left the room, put it away out of sight without ever speaking of it
again, or appearing to know what has become of it.

I have just been interrupted for an hour and a half by M. de
Fiennes--very agreeable is it not? You must forgive me if I am unable
to write to you at length; what I have said to you above is for the
future, but the past is over since he has those studs. I forbid you to
give him something in future, unless you cannot possibly do otherwise;
and, in that case, you must give cigarettes or anything which does not
last. I will see what is to be done about your shawl, was it not II who
gave it to you? Thanks, my treasure, to walk so far from II; it is so
good of you to give up to me that walk, which I hate when you take it
with him.

Ah! new projects again, but let us hope these will be the last, how I
pity you. You were so well you told me two days ago, and now you are
already obligated to take some powders--it is II system. Nice health
you seem to have; you have good reason for believing that the regimen
you have hitherto followed is a good one, it succeeds so well! Poor
darling I can comprehend how uncomfortable these frequent agitations
must make you. I suffer from them so often myself.

I will make you some drawings later. I have not the time to-day. Those
uncertainties of your mother are terrible. Oh, yes, I am in despair at
that departure, particularly before my lot is decided, and knowing, as
I do, that you are unhappy. But, my child, do not fear to let it be
known in every direction that you cannot endure II, and that you have
taken a disgust to him. Do not hesitate to give the true reasons when
you refuse to do anything, simply, "Yes, or No, the hand, but with
........... it is not necessary. I can dispense with it, nothing of
that sort is necessary." And then, when that has produced the desired
effect, add, "We can only live under the same roof upon those
conditions, for sooner would I go away altogether than that it should
be otherwise." Speak in this manner; it won't answer very well at f