diverted from the annoyances of my real
situation by the distressful circumstances of my feigned one.
Moreover, to add to my sorrows, at the beginning of the evening a
lady spilled some coffee over a beautiful dress which I was wearing
for the first time. Now I will tell you what consolations I had to
support me under these trials; first, the self-approving
consciousness of the smiling fortitude with which I bore my gown's
disaster; secondly, a lovely nosegay, which was presented to me;
and lastly, at about twelve o'clock, when the rooms were a little
thinned, a dance for an hour which sent me home perfectly satisfied
with my fate. By the bye, I asked Campbell if he knew any method to
preserve my flowers from fading, to which he replied, "Give them to
me, and I will immortalize them." I did so, and am expecting some
verses from him in return.

On Thursday next I come out in Mrs. Beverley; I am much afraid of
it. The play wants the indispensable attribute of all works of
art--imagination; it is a most touching story, and Mrs. Beverley is
a most admirable creature, but the story is such as might be read
in a newspaper, and her character has its like in many an English
home. I think the author should have idealized both his incidents
and his heroine a little, to produce a really fine play. Mrs.
Beverley is not one shade inferior to Imogen in purity, in conjugal
devotion, and in truth, but while the one is to all intents and
purposes a model wife, a poet's touch has made of the other a
divine image of all that is lovely and excellent in woman; and yet,
certainly, Imogen is quite as _real_ a conception as Mrs. Beverley.
The absence of the poetical element in the play prevents my being
enthusiastic about my part, and I am the more nervous about it for
that reason; when I am excited I feel that I can excite others, but
in this case--However, we shall see; I may succeed with it better
than I expect, and perhaps my audience may like to see me as a
quiet, sober lady, after the Belvideras and Juliets and Euphrasias
they have hitherto seen me represent. I will tell you my dress: it
is a silver gray silk, and a white crape hat with drooping
feathers. I think it will be very pretty. My father acts Beverley
with me, which will be a great advantage to me.

O