heard from Mr. Crawford that he had seen you in the
very act of being too late. But for there being no ice, what could
prepare me! You found my letter at Andover, I hope, yesterday, and
have now for many hours been satisfied that your kind anxiety on my
behalf was as much thrown away as kind anxiety usually is. I continue
quite well; in proof of which I have bathed again this morning. It
was absolutely necessary that I should have the little fever and
indisposition which I had: it has been all the fashion this week in
Lyme. We are quite settled in our lodgings by this time, as you may
suppose, and everything goes on in the usual order. The servants
behave very well, and make no difficulties, though nothing certainly
can exceed the inconvenience of the offices, except the general
dirtiness of the house and furniture, and all its inhabitants. I
endeavour, as far as I can, to supply your place, and be useful, and
keep things in order. I detect dirt in the water decanters, as fast
as I can, and keep everything as it was under your administration . .
. . The ball last night was pleasant, but not full for Thursday. My
father staid contentedly till half-past nine (we went a little after
eight), and then walked home with James and a lanthorn, though I
believe the lanthorn was not lit, as the moon was up; but sometimes
this lanthorn may be a great convenience to him. My mother and I
staid about an hour later. Nobody asked me the two first dances; the
two next I danced with Mr. Crawford, and had I chosen to stay longer
might have danced with Mr. Granville, Mrs. Granville's son, whom my
dear friend Miss A. introduced to me, or with a new odd-looking man
who had been eyeing me for some time, and at last, without any
introduction, asked me if I meant to dance again. I think he must be
Irish by his ease, and because I imagine him to belong to the honbl
B.'s, who are son, and son's wife of an Irish viscount, bold queer-
looking people, just fit to be quality at Lyme. I called yesterday
morning (ought it not in strict propriety to be termed
yester-morning?) on Miss A. and was introduced to her father and
mother. Like other young ladies she is considerably genteeler than
her parents. Mrs. A. sat darning a pair of stockings the whole of my
visit. But do not mention this at home, lest a warning should act as
an example.