so rich as we thought. Since he has been at home he says
he has spent greatly more than his income, and is quite angry at his own
extravagance. At first he thought he might have retired from the army
altogether; but after three years at home, he finds he cannot live
upon his income. When he gets his promotion as full Colonel, he will be
entitled to a thousand a year; that, and what he has invested in India,
and a little in this country, will be plenty for both of us. He never
seems to think of my making money by my profession. Why, suppose I sell
the 'Battle of Assaye' for 500 pounds? that will be enough to carry me
on ever so long, without dipping into the purse of the dear old father.

"The Viscount de Florac called to dine with us. The Colonel said he did
not care about going out: and so the Viscount and I went together. Trois
Freres Provencaux--he ordered the dinner and of course I paid. Then we
went to a little theatre, and he took me behind the scenes--such a queer
place! We went to the loge of Mademoiselle Fine who acted the part of
'Le petit Tambour,' in which she sings a famous song with a drum. He
asked her and several literary fellows to supper at the Cafe Anglais.
And I came home ever so late, and lost twenty napoleons at a game called
bouillotte. It was all the change out of a twenty-pound note which dear
old Binnie gave me before we set out, with a quotation out of Horace,
you know, about Neque tu choreas sperne puer. O me! how guilty I felt as
I walked home at ever so much o'clock to the Hotel de la Terrasse, and
sneaked into our apartment! But the Colonel was sound asleep. His dear
old boots stood sentries at his bedroom door, and I slunk into mine as
silently as I could.

"P.S.--Wednesday.--There's just one scrap of paper left. I have got J.
J.'s letter. He has been to the private view of the Academy (so that his
own picture is in), and the 'Battle of Assaye' is refused. Smee told
him it was too big. I dare say it's very bad. I'm glad I'm away, and the
fellows are not condoling with me.

"Please go and see Mr. Binnie. He has come to grief. He rode the
Colonel's horse; came down on the pavement and wrenched his leg, and I'm
afraid the grey's. Please look at his legs; we can't understand John's
report of them. He, I mean Mr. B., was going to Scotland to see his
relations when the accident happened. You know he has always been going
to Scotland to see his relations. He makes light of the business, and
s