We set off this evening for _Chantilly_--but the Pheyton wheel broke, and we were obliged to turn back. Old Mrs. Washington has promised her Carriage to us to go in the morning.
Nov. 6.
_Chantilly._ We sat off early in the morning, and we reached here this morning before breakfast. I found Mama"s Jem here. How delighted I am to hear of the Health of all my Friends above. He could not give me any information about you, except that he believes you are very well, which I am very much pleased to hear.
Aunt Lee has been very sick for several days with a violent toothache.
Nov. 7.
[Sidenote: _Berry Hill._ A country-seat of Thomas L. Lee.]
This is a delightful evening, my dear. Nancy and myself have just returned from a delightfull walk to the river. On our return we two loll"d on the Sopha. I shall go up to _Berry Hill_ directly the Pheyton is mended. Mr. Washington is to carry me.
Nov. 8.
To-day Old Mrs. Washington and Milly came. Nancy and myself have been dressing for dinner. N. looks handsomer to-day than I have seen her since I came. Adieu. I have not another moment to scribble.
Milly and myself took a walk to-night by moonlight. She knows you, she says, and thinks you beautifull.
We are going to join Nancy and Mr. Washington in the dineing-room.
Adieu, my beloved.
Nov. 9.
Mrs. Thomson, Mrs. Leland, and a Miss Leland are all just come, and unexpectedly too. I never saw the two last before. The first is a very clever old Lady, the latter very homely indeed. We are all going to dress. Adieu.
Dinner is just over. Harry, the Fiddler, is sent for, and we are going to dance. I had forgot to tell, Mr. Spotswood came to-day. You can"t conceive how angry Milly was. I soon got from her that he had promised never to trouble her again on the Subject, and she was displeased at his following her. Adieu--Harriet insists on my going out. She says the fiddle is come. Farewell, my love; may Heaven shower blessings on your head, prays your Lucinda. I always forget to make use of our other name.
Nov. 10.
[Sidenote: _Menokin._ Residence of Francis L. Lee.]
To-day Old Mrs. W. goes to _Bushfield_, and leaves Milly behind. I have promised to go with Milly when she goes, if I don"t go up before that time. Hannah and Corbin go with the Old Lady to-day. Cousin Molly and Mr. Pinkard go to _Menoken_ to-day.
Mr. Spotswood took his leave this evening; which Milly rejoiced at.
Nancy sleeps up stairs to-night with her Sister Pinkard. Milly, Miss Leland, and myself have the nurcery to ourselves. We want Nancy very much, but she is obliged to sleep up stairs.
I had forgot to tell you, the second night at _Blenheim_, Milly, Nancy, and myself had a room to ourselves, and tried the _salt and egg_; but neither of us dreamt.
I have undrest myself, and Sibby is going to comb my hair. Milly and Miss Leland are gone in the Garden. I propose to Sibby to go and frighten them: she agrees, and we are going to put it in execution.
We scared them a good deal. Milly screamed pretty l.u.s.tily.
Nov. 11.
We have just breakfasted. Mrs. Thomson and the Lelands have just departed. We are going hard to work. Milly is making herself a very pretty cap.
Cousin Molly came to-night; quite wet, as she was caught in a hard rain.
We shall sit up very late to-night--I tr.i.m.m.i.n.g my dress, and the rest makeing caps. I expect to go on Monday to _Bushfield_, with Milly. Nancy and Molly will go about that time to Miss A. Ballendine"s wedding.
Nov. 12.
What a surprise, my Polly, have we all had this morning, and a delightful one too. Before we were out of bed a servant from Mr.
Macarty"s came to let us know Aunt Fendall is arrived, and at Mr.
Macarty"s. We are all invited to dine there to-day. I am delighted at the thought of seeing Flora before I go up. The Pheyton is mended, and I shall set off in a day or two.
[Sidenote: McCartys, married into the Lee family, lived at "Marmion."]
I am not going to Mr. Macarty"s to-day. I stay with Milly W. and Mrs.
Pinkard. Aunt Lee, Molly, and Nancy go. It was my own choice to stay, for Nancy insisted on my going and her staying. They are gone. I drest Nancy"s hair--she really look"t beautiful to-day.
We are going to seat ourselves and hear Mr. Pinkard read a Novel.
Hannah and Corbin are just come from _Bushfield_. Mr. Washington sais he shall set off to-morrow.
Milly will set off directly after dinner. She has promised to correspond with me.
Milly has taken her leave, and I a.s.sure you I was a good deal affected at parting with her. She is a sweet Girl; and told me at parting that she was preposes"d with the notion we should never meet again. G.o.d forbid! I can write no more, my Marcia, for I have got to pack up my cloaths.
I believe I shall scrible a little more to-night, if they should bring Flora home with them, if it is only to give you my opinion of her.
Well, my dear, they are come, and, as I expected, brought Flora with them. She is very genteal, and wears monstrous Bustles. Her face is just as it always was. You, my dearest, that posses a great deal of Sencibility, would have supposed she would have been delighted to see me--far from it, I a.s.sure you. She saluted me just as if I had been a common acquaintance, and was not, I thought, at all glad to see me; but I suppose it is fashionable to affect indifference. I hope, my dearest, we shall always stear clear of such unnatural Fashions. She received Nancy in the same manner; that dear Friend and myself have just returned from a walk in the Garden--the last we shall take for some time, I am afraid.
Dear Mrs. Pinkard sets off this morning, and Cousin Molly goes as far as _Peccatone_ with her.
The arrival of Flora has prevented Nancy from going.
I have just taken a last farewell of my dear Mrs. Pinkard--did I say a last farewell? I hope not. I should be unhappy did I think it a last farewell.
Mr. W. and myself have defer"d setting off till the evening, and then we go as far as _Blenheim_ to-night....
[Ill.u.s.tration]