have not answered her letter; but would have done so in
Italian, if I had not thought it would look like an affectation. I
have just been scolding my monkey for tearing the seal of her
letter, and spoiling a mock book, in which I put rose leaves. I had
a civet-cat the other day, too; but it ran away, after scratching
my monkey's cheek, and I am in search of it still. It was the
fiercest beast I ever saw, and like * * in the face and manner.

"I have a world of things to say; but, as they are not come to a
_denouement_, I don't care to begin their history till it is wound
up. After you went, I had a fever, but got well again without bark.
Sir Humphry Davy was here the other day, and liked Ravenna very
much. He will tell you any thing you may wish to know about the
place and your humble servitor.

"Your apprehensions (arising from Scott's) were unfounded. There
are _no damages_ in this country, but there will probably be a
separation between them, as her family, which is a principal one,
by its connections, are very much against _him_, for the whole of
his conduct;--and he is old and obstinate, and she is young and a
woman, determined to sacrifice every thing to her affections. I
have given her the best advice, viz. to stay with him,--pointing
out the state of a separated woman, (for the priests won't let
lovers live openly together, unless the husband sanctions it,) and
making the most exquisite moral reflections,--but to no purpose.
She says, 'I will stay with him, if he will let you remain with me.
It is hard that I should be the only woman in Romagna who is not to
have her Amico; but, if not, I will not live with him; and as for
the consequences, love, &c. &c. &c.'--you know how females reason
on such occasions.

"He says he has let it go on till he can do so no longer. But he
wants her to stay, and dismiss me; for he doesn't like to pay back
her dowry and to make an alimony. Her relations are rather for the
separation, as they detest him,--indeed, so does every body. The
populace and the women are, as usual, all for those who are in the
wrong, viz. the lady and her lover. I should have retreated, but
honour, and an erysipelas which has attacked her, prevent me,--to
say nothing of love, for I love her most entirely, though not
enough to pe