This, you know, is audience-day, dear
little Glo. (what familiarity to a great Princess!), so I have
not a minute of morning to myself. But, as to-morrow is audience-day too, and
next day Friday, I determine to thank you for your letter, in a hurry, rather
than
| THE MISSIONARY. | 411 |
So here I am, with my dinner in my throat, and my coffee in my mouth (having left my arm chair and your “boudoir,” to console each other in our absence), just to assure you what you know well enough, that I have not yet forgotten you; and also what I have already assured you through Jane, that I understood, and (in your own phrase) appreciated your dislike to parting words and looks. I was going on, but will stop for fear of falling into the tender and sentimental, so, once for all, assure yourself that I feel your feelings as they deserve—as our friends the Orientals say, “what can I say more?”
I think, under the various circumstances of the case, I have written as much now as I well can, or you will wish, so, till your next letter and “Livy’s” postscript bring me fresh materials, bye! bye! Have you told her that I have some thoughts of falling in love with her, if we ever meet?
Need I say, that I am and ever shall be,
