ked to and abused for
not dancing. We teased him, however, into it at
last. I was very glad to see him again after so
long a separation, and he was altogether rather
the genius and flirt of the evening. He enquired
after you.

There were twenty dances, and I danced them all,
and without any fatigue. I was glad to find myself
capable of dancing so much, and with so much
satisfaction as I did; from my slender enjoyment
of the Ashford balls (as assemblies for dancing) I
had not thought myself equal to it, but in cold
weather and with few couples I fancy I could just
as well dance for a week together as for half an
hour. My black cap was openly admired by Mrs.
Lefroy, and secretly I imagine by everybody else
in the room.

* * * * *

_Tuesday._--I thank you for your long letter,
which I will endeavour to deserve by writing the
rest of this as closely as possible. I am full of
joy at much of your information; that you should
have been to a ball, and have danced at it, and
supped with the Prince, and that you should
meditate the purchase of a new muslin gown, are
delightful circumstances.

* * * * *

Poor Edward! It is very hard that he, who has
everything else in the world that he can wish for,
should not have good health too.

I know no one more deserving of happiness without
alloy than Edward is.

* * * * *

Of my charities to the poor since I came home you
shall have a faithful account. I have given a pair
of worsted stockings to Mary Hutchins, Dame Kew,
Mary Steevens, and Dame Staples; a shift to Hannah
Staples, and a shawl to Betty Dawkins; amounting
in all to about half a guinea. But I have no
reason to suppose that the _Battys_ would accept
of anything, because I have not made them the
offer.

* * * * *

The Lords of the Admiralty will have enough of our
applications at present, for I hear from Charles
that he has written to Lord Spencer himself to be
removed. I am a