I want
you to come here before the 20th of November, and then I will let
you go in time to be at home for Christmas. So now my cause is in
your hands--_avisez-vous_.

I wonder whether you have heard that my father has been thrashing
the editor of the _Age_ newspaper, who, it seems, took offence at
my father's not appearing on sufficiently familiar terms with him
somewhere or other when they met, in revenge for which "coldness"
(as he styles it) he has not ceased for the last six months abusing
us, every week, in his paper. From what I hear I was the especial
mark of his malice; of course I need not tell you that, knowing the
character of this publication, I should never have looked at it,
and the circumstance of my name appearing in its columns would
hardly have been an inducement to me to do so. I knew nothing,
therefore, of my own injuries, but heard general expressions of
indignation against Mr. Westmacott, and saw that my father was
extremely exasperated upon the subject. The other night they were
all going to the play, and pressed me very much to go too, but I
had something I wished to write, and remained at home. On their
return my father appeared to me much excited, and I was informed
that having unluckily come across Mr. Westmacott, his wrath had got
the better of his self-command, and he had bestowed a severe
beating upon that individual. I could not help looking very grave
at this; for though I should have been very well satisfied if it
could have _rained_ a good thrashing upon Mr. Westmacott from the
sky, yet as I do not approve of returning injuries by injuries, I
could not rejoice that my father had done so. I suppose he saw that
I had no great satisfaction in the event, for he said, "The law
affords no redress against such attacks as this paper makes on
people, and I thought it time to take justice in my own hands when
my daughter is insulted." He then repeated some of the language
made use of with reference to me in the _Age_, and I could not help
blushing with indignation to my fingers' ends.

Perhaps, under the circumstances, it is not surprising that my
father has done what he has, but I think I should have admired him
more if he had not. Mr. Westmacott means to bring an action against
him, and I am afraid he will have to pa