women standing by without partners, and each of
them with two ugly naked shoulders.

It was the same room in which we danced fifteen
years ago. I thought it all over, and in spite of
the shame of being so much older, felt with
thankfulness that I was quite as happy now as
then. We paid an additional shilling for our tea,
which we took as we chose in an adjoining and very
comfortable room.

There were only four dances, and it went to my
heart that the Miss Lances (one of them, too,
named Emma) should have partners only for two. You
will not expect to hear that _I_ was asked to
dance, but I was--by the gentleman whom we met
_that Sunday_ with Captain D'Auvergne. We have
always kept up a bowing acquaintance since, and,
being pleased with his black eyes, I spoke to him
at the ball, which brought on me this civility;
but I do not know his name, and he seems so little
at home in the English language, that I believe
his black eyes may be the best of him. Captain
D'Auvergne has got a ship.

* * * * *

Having now cleared away my smaller articles of
news, I come to a communication of some weight: no
less than that my uncle and aunt[191] are going to
allow James L100 a year. We hear of it through
Steventon. Mary sent us the other day an extract
from my aunt's letter on the subject, in which the
donation is made with the greatest kindness, and
intended as a compensation for his loss in the
conscientious refusal of Hampstead living; L100 a
year being all that he had at the time called its
worth, as I find it was always intended at
Steventon to divide the real income with
Kintbury.[192]

* * * * *

I am glad you are to have Henry with you again;
with him and the boys you cannot but have a
cheerful, and at times even a merry, Christmas.

* * * * *

We want to be settled at Chawton in time for Henry
to come to us for some shooting in October, at
least, or a little earlier, and Edward may visit
us after taking his boys back t