ingbourne; and so
off we drove, drove, drove, and by six o'clock
were at Godmersham.

Our two brothers[173] were walking before the
house as we approached, as natural as life. Fanny
and Lizzie met us in the Hall with a great deal of
pleasant joy; we went for a few minutes into the
breakfast parlour, and then proceeded to our
rooms. Mary has the Hall chamber. I am in the
Yellow room--very literally--for I am writing in
it at this moment. It seems odd to me to have such
a great place all to myself, and to be at
Godmersham without you is also odd.

You are wished for, I assure you: Fanny, who came
to me as soon as she had seen her Aunt James to
her room, and stayed while I dressed, was as
energetic as usual in her longings for you. She is
grown both in height and size since last year, but
not immoderately, looks very well, and seems as to
conduct and manner just what she was and what one
could wish her to continue.

Elizabeth, who was dressing when we arrived, came
to me for a minute attended by Marianne, Charles,
and Louisa, and, you will not doubt, gave me a
very affectionate welcome. That I had received
such from Edward also I need not mention; but I
do, you see, because it is a pleasure. I never saw
him look in better health, and Fanny says he is
perfectly well. I cannot praise Elizabeth's looks,
but they are probably affected by a cold. Her
little namesake has gained in beauty in the last
three years, though not all that Marianne has
lost. Charles is not quite so lovely as he was.
Louisa is much as I expected, and Cassandra I find
handsomer than I expected, though at present
disguised by such a violent breaking-out that she
does not come down after dinner. She has charming
eyes and a nice open countenance, and seems likely
to be very lovable. Her size is magnificent.

* * * * *

_Thursday._-- . . . I feel rather languid and
solitary--perhaps because I have a cold; but three
years ago we were more animated with you and
Harriot and Miss Sharpe. We shall improve, I da