ds from James, Henry, and Frank respectively. Frank, indeed, was
ready to do more; for Henry wrote to him to say that their mother 'feels
the magnificence of your offer and accepts of half.' Mrs. Austen's first
idea was to remain in Bath so long as her brother, Mr. Leigh Perrot,
lived there. Accordingly, she gave up her house at Lady Day, and moved,
with her daughters and one maid, into furnished lodgings at 25 Gay
Street.

Early in April, Cassandra was staying at Ibthorp, where it was her lot
to attend another death-bed--that of old Mrs. Lloyd.

25 Gay Street: Monday [April 8, 1805].

MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Here is a day for you! Did
Bath or Ibthorp ever see a finer 8th of April? It
is March and April together, the glare of one and
the warmth of the other. We do nothing but walk
about. As far as your means will admit, I hope you
profit by such weather too. I dare say you are
already the better for change of place. We were
out again last night. Miss Irvine invited us, when
I met her in the Crescent, to drink tea with them,
but I rather declined it, having no idea that my
mother would be disposed for another evening visit
there so soon; but when I gave her the message, I
found her very well inclined to go; and
accordingly, on leaving Chapel, we walked to
Lansdown. This morning we have been to see Miss
Chamberlayne look hot on horseback. Seven years
and four months ago we went to the same
riding-house to see Miss Lefroy's performance!
What a different set are we now moving in! But
seven years, I suppose, are enough to change every
pore of one's skin and every feeling of one's
mind. We did not walk long in the Crescent
yesterday. It was hot and not crowded enough; so
we went into the field, and passed close by S. T.
and Miss S.[143] again. I have not yet seen her
face, but neither her dress nor air have anything
of the dash or stylishness which the Browns talked
of; quite the contrary; indeed, her dress is not
even smart, and her appearance very quiet. Miss
Irvine says she is never speaking a word. Poor
wretch; I am afraid she is _en penitence_. Here
has been that excellent Mrs. Co