spring up with me.
Climbing trees, as poor Combe would say, excites one's "wonder" and
one's "caution" very agreeably, and I like it. I took Lord
Francis's translation of "Henri Trois" back to the "Cedar Hall,"
where my mother was still watching her float. I was a good deal
struck with it. He has not finished the whole of the first act yet,
but there is one scene between the Duchess of Guise and St. Megrin
that I should think ought to be very effective on the stage; and I
can imagine how charming Mdlle. Mars must have been in her
sleep-walking gestures and intonations. The situation, which is
highly dramatic, is, I think, quite new; I cannot recollect any
similar one in any other play....

After lunch my mother, Lady Charlotte, and Mr. Greville drove off
to Monks Grove, and we followed them on horse-back; it is a little
paradise of a place, with its sunny, smooth sloping lawns and
bright, sparkling piece of water, the masses of flowers blossoming
in profuse beauty, and the high, overhanging, sheltering woods of
St. Anne's Hill rising behind it. On our way home much talk of
Naples. I might like to go there, no doubt; the question is how I
should like to come back to London after Naples, and I think not at
all. In the evening read the pretty French piece of "Michel et
Christine" which my father had sent me.

_Friday, June 17th._-- ... My mother, Mr. C----, and I drove
together back to town; so good-by, Oatlands.

_Monday, June 20th._--Went to rehearsal at half-past ten for John
Mason, who is to come out in Romeo to-night; he had caught a
dreadful cold and could hardly speak, which was terribly provoking,
poor fellow! After my theater rehearsal of "Romeo and Juliet" drove
to Bridgewater House to rehearse "Hernani." In the evening the
house was very good at Covent Garden; I played well. John Mason was
suffering dreadfully from cold and hoarseness; the audience were
very good-natured, however, and he got through uncommonly well. My
mother said I played "beautifully," which was saying much indeed
for her. I was delighted, especially as the Francis Levesons and
---- were all there.

_Tuesday, June 21st._--Went to Bridgewater House to rehearse.
Charles Young was among our morning audience; I was so glad to see
him, for dear old acquaintancesh