to our profession! I should speak in the singular, for I am
only uttering my own self-condemnation. But as the excellence we
adore surpasses our comprehension, so does the mercy, and in that
lies our only trust and confidence.

I fear Miss W---- either has not received my letter or does not
mean to answer it, for I have received no reply, and I dare not try
again. Up to a certain point I am impudent enough, but not beyond
that. Why do you threaten me with dancing to me? Have I lately
given you cause to think I deserve to have such a punishment hung
_in terrorem_ over me? Besides, threatening me is injudicious, for
it rouses a spirit of resistance in me not easy to break down. I
assure you _o_ [in allusion to my mispronunciation of that vowel]
is really greatly improved. I take much pains with it, as also with
my deportment; they will, I hope, no longer annoy you when next we
meet. You must not call Mrs. J---- my friend, for I do not. I like
her much, and I see a great deal to esteem and admire in her, but I
do not _yet_ call her my friend. You are my friend, and Mrs. Harry
Siddons is my friend, and you are the only persons I call by that
name. I have read "Paul Clifford," according to your desire, and
like it very much; it is written with a good purpose, and very
powerfully. You asked me if I believed such selfishness as
Brandon's to be natural, and I said yes, not having read the book,
but merely from your report of him; and, having read the book, I
say so still.

CHAPTER XVI.

DUBLIN, August, 1830.
MY DEAR H----,

I should have answered your letter sooner had I before been able to
give you any certain intelligence of our theatrical proceedings
next week, but I was so afraid of some change taking place in the
list of the plays that I resolved not to write until alteration was
impossible. The plays for next week are, on Monday, "Venice
Preserved;" on Wednesday, "The Grecian Daughter;" Thursday, "The
Merchant of Venice." I wish your people may be able to come up, the
latter end of the week; I think "Romeo and Juliet," and "The
Merchant of Venice," are nice plays for them to see. But you have,
I know, an invitation from Mrs. J---- to come into town on Monday.
I do not know whether my wishe