Miss Burns,
Schooner-yacht Persephone, off Cherbourg._

The wedding was very pretty yesterday. We had frocks of tussore silk,
with bouquets of orchids and Penelope Boothby caps. She looked very
pretty, but as white as her gown,--such a goose!--it was ivory satin,
with _point de Venise_. He is quite too handsome, and I cannot think
what he could see in her. He gave us each a locket with _her_ portrait
inside. I wished it had been _his_. I dare say Hampshire would have been
better for her, and worn longer, than Romeo. Lord Cowes is furious about
Romeo. He detests the religion and all that, and he could hardly make
himself look pleasant even at church. Of course they were two
ceremonies. The Cardinal had consented at last, though I believe he had
made all kinds of fuss first. Lady Gladys, you know, is very, _very_
High Church, and I suppose that reconciled a little the very
irreconcilable Cardinal. She thinks of nothing but the Church, and her
missions, and her poor people. I am afraid the Roman prince will get
dreadfully bored. And they are going down into Bedfordshire, of all
places, to be shut up for a month! It is very stupid of her, and such a
wet season as it is! They are going to Coombe-Bysset, her aunt Lady
Caroline's place. I fancy Romeo will soon be bored, and I don't think
Coombe-Bysset at all judicious. I would have gone to Homburg, or
Deauville, or Japan.

* * * * *

_From the Princess di San Zenone, Coombe-Bysset, Luton, Bedfordshire, to
the Countess of Cowes, London._

DEAREST MOTHER,--

I am too, too, too happy. It is no use writing about it. I would if I
could, but I _can't_. He is delighted with Coombe, and says the verdure
is something wonderful. We got here just as the sun was setting. There
were all Aunt Carrie's school-children out to meet us with baskets of
roses. Piero said they looked like bigger roses themselves. He is
enchanted with England. It is very fine to-day, and I do so hope it
won't rain; but the glass is falling. Forgive a hurried word like this.
I am going to take Piero on the lake. I know you haven't liked it, dear;
but, I am sure, when you see how happy I am you will say there was never
any one like him on earth.

* * * * *

_From the Countess of Cowes, Cowes House, London, to the Duchess of
Dunne, Wavernake, Worcestershire._

No, I confess I do not approve of the marriage: it will take her away
from us, and I a