ts and thousands of yachts following in a miscellaneous crowd,
the sun shining very brightly, and the sea as green as grass. LADY DE
GULES, like a goose, fancied herself sea-sick, which I believe she would
do if a glass of salt-water were set upon her dressing-table; but we
would not pity her, and she thought better of it. While we were at
lunch--at which the officers behaved with great devotion, and a
disinterestedness remarkably unlike something you and I have seen--it
seems that the fleet was cannonading an enemy, but I looked out of
window and could see nothing but smoke, so we stayed where we were.

[Illustration]

I send you a sketch of it from memory. _Entre nous_, I was not quite
unprofitably engaged. I do not know whether it will come to anything,
but just ask AUGUSTUS, _from yourself_, whether the Shropshire branch of
the LARTONBURY family is the right one, and if he knows HENRY
LARTONBURY. Swanby House, or Hall, or something, is, I think, the family
place, but I have some idea that _my_ LARTONBURYS don't live there.
Until I know this, of course, I can say nothing, but it is a _strong
case_, and he can wait with great safety. Be sure you ask AUGUSTUS, and
write to me directly to LADY DE GULES'S.

"We came to town by a special train with lots of Members of Parliament.
I could not see AUGUSTUS, my dear, but the others did not look so
unhappy at being without their wives as you pathetically tell me he
looked on leaving you. O you silly LOUISA!

"I hope I have given you a full account of the day's proceedings, but
the newspapers will tell you the rest--one of the writers was in the
carriage with us--I had no idea they were such nice clean people, and he
knew more than all the Members put together--there, don't look angry.

"Ever your affectionate,

"LAURA."

"_Gules House, Saturday._"

"P.S.--Be particular about the _Shropshire_ branch, because there are
some Hereford LARTONBURYS who won't do at all, and who ought to be made
to change their name. Light hair, dark eyes, and a very affected manner,
but not a bad style."

* * * * *

THE FASHIONABLE EPIDEMIC.

There is a curious epidemic flying about--we hardly know what it is--but
it attacks principally the highest and the middle classes. So very
contagious is it, and so certain in its effects, that, to our knowledge
alone, no less than 5632 families, principally residing at the West-end,
have been ordered by their physici