Here I am, my dearest Cassandra, seated in the breakfast, dining, sitting room, beginning with all my might. Fanny will join me as soon as she is dressed, and begin her letter.
We had a very good journey, weather and roads excellent; the three first stages for 1s. 6d., and our only misadventure the being delayed about a quarter of an hour at Kingston for horses, and being obliged to put up with a pair belonging to a hackney coach and their coachman, which left no room on the barouche box for Lizzy, who was to have gone her last stage there as she did the first;[195] consequently we were all four within, which was a little crowded.
We arrived at a quarter-past four, and were kindly1 welcomed by the coachman, and then by his master, and then by William, and then by Mrs. Pengird, who all met us before we reached the foot of the stairs. Mde. Bigion was below dressing2 us a most comfortable dinner of soup, fish, bouillée, partridges, and an apple tart3, which we sat down to soon after five, after cleaning and dressing ourselves, and feeling that we were most commodiously4 disposed of. The little adjoining dressing-room to our apartment makes Fanny and myself very well off indeed, and as we have poor Eliza's[20] bed our space is ample every way.
Sace arrived safely about half-past six. At seven we set off in a coach for the Lyceum; were at home again in about four hours and a half; had soup and wine and water, and then went to our holes.
Edward finds his quarters very snug5 and quiet. I must get a softer pen. This is harder. I am in agonies. I have not yet seen Mr. Crabbe. Martha's letter is gone to the post.
I am going to write nothing but short sentences. There shall be two full stops in every line. Layton and Shear's is Bedford House. We mean to[196] get there before breakfast if it's possible; for we feel more and more how much we have to do and how little time. This house looks very nice. It seems like Sloane Street moved here. I believe Henry is just rid of Sloane Street. Fanny does not come, but I have Edward seated by me beginning a letter, which looks natural.
Henry has been suffering from the pain in the face which he has been subject to before. He caught cold at Matlock, and since his return has been paying a little for past pleasure. It is nearly removed now, but he looks thin in the face, either from the pain or the fatigues6 of his tour, which must have been great.
Lady Robert is delighted with P. and P.,[21] and really was so, as I understand, before she knew who wrote it, for of course she knows now. He told her with as much satisfaction as if it were my wish. He did not tell me this, but he told Fanny. And Mr. Hastings! I am quite delighted with what such a man writes about it. Henry sent him the books after his return from Daylesford, but you will hear the letter too.
Let me be rational, and return to my two full stops.
I talked to Henry at the play last night. We were in a private box,—Mr. Spencer's,—which made it much more pleasant. The box is directly[197] on the stage. One is infinitely7 less fatigued8 than in the common way. But Henry's plans are not what one could wish. He does not mean to be at Chawton till the 29th. He must be in town again by Oct. 5. His plan is to get a couple of days of pheasant shooting and then return directly. His wish was to bring you back with him. I have told him your scruples9. He wishes you to suit yourself as to time, and if you cannot come till later, will send for you at any time as far as Bagshot. He presumed you would not find difficulty in getting so far. I could not say you would. He proposed your going with him into Oxfordshire. It was his own thought at first. I could not but catch at it for you.
We have talked of it again this morning (for now we have breakfasted), and I am convinced that if you can make it suit in other respects you need not scruple10 on his account. If you cannot come back with him on the 3rd or 4th, therefore, I do hope you will contrive11 to go to Adlestrop. By not beginning your absence till about the middle of this month I think you may manage it very well. But you will think all this over. One could wish he had intended to come to you earlier, but it cannot be helped.
I said nothing to him of Mrs. H. and Miss B., that he might not suppose difficulties. Shall not you put them into our own room? This seems to[198] me the best plan, and the maid will be most conveniently near.
Oh, dear me! when I shall ever have done. We did go to Layton and Shear's before breakfast. Very pretty English poplins at 4s. 3d.; Irish, ditto at 6s.; more pretty, certainly,—beautiful.
Fanny and the two little girls are gone to take places for to-night at Covent Garden; "Clandestine12 Marriage" and "Midas." The latter will be a fine show for L. and M.[22] They revelled13 last night in "Don Juan," whom we left in hell at half-past eleven. We had scaramouch and a ghost, and were delighted. I speak of them; my delight was very tranquil14, and the rest of us were sober-minded. "Don Juan" was the last of three musical things. "Five Hours at Brighton," in three acts,—of which one was over before we arrived, none the worse,—and the "Beehive," rather less flat and trumpery15.
I have this moment received 5l. from kind, beautiful Edward. Fanny has a similar gift. I shall save what I can of it for your better leisure in this place. My letter was from Miss Sharpe,—nothing particular. A letter from Fanny Cage this morning.
Four o'clock.—We are just come back from doing Mrs. Tickars, Miss Hare, and Mr. Spence. Mr. Hall is here, and while Fanny is under his hands, I will try to write a little more.
[199]
Miss Hare had some pretty caps, and is to make me one like one of them, only white satin instead of blue. It will be white satin and lace, and a little white flower perking16 out of the left ear, like Harriot Byron's feather. I have allowed her to go as far as 1l. 16s. My gown is to be trimmed everywhere with white ribbon plaited on somehow or other. She says it will look well. I am not sanguine17. They trim with white very much.
I learnt from Mrs. Tickars's young lady, to my high amusement, that the stays now are not made to force the bosom18 up at all; that was a very unbecoming, unnatural19 fashion. I was really glad to hear that they are not to be so much off the shoulders as they were.
Going to Mr. Spence's was a sad business, and cost us many tears; unluckily we were obliged to go a second time before he could do more than just look. We went first at half-past twelve and afterwards at three; papa with us each time; and, alas20! we are to go again to-morrow. Lizzy is not finished yet. There have been no teeth taken out, however, nor will be, I believe; but he finds hers in a very bad state, and seems to think particularly ill of their durableness21. They have been all cleaned, hers filed, and are to be filed again. There is a very sad hole between two of her front teeth.
Thursday Morning, half-past Seven.—Up and[200] dressed and downstairs in order to finish my letter in time for the parcel. At eight I have an appointment with Madame B., who wants to show me something downstairs. At nine we are to set off for Grafton House, and get that over before breakfast. Edward is so kind as to walk there with us. We are to be at Mr. Spence's again at 11.5: from that time shall be driving about I suppose till four o'clock at least. We are, if possible, to call on Mrs. Tilson.
Mr. Hall was very punctual yesterday, and curled me out at a great rate. I thought it looked hideous22, and longed for a snug cap instead, but my companions silenced me by their admiration23. I had only a bit of velvet24 round my head. I did not catch cold, however. The weather is all in my favor. I have had no pain in my face since I left you.
We had very good places in the box next the stage-box, front and second row; the three old ones behind, of course. I was particularly disappointed at seeing nothing of Mr. Crabbe. I felt sure of him when I saw that the boxes were fitted up with crimson25 velvet. The new Mr. Terry was Lord Ogleby, and Henry thinks he may do; but there was no acting26 more than moderate, and I was as much amused by the remembrances connected with "Midas" as with any part of it. The girls were very much delighted, but still prefer "Don Juan;"[201] and I must say that I have seen nobody on the stage who has been a more interesting character than that compound of cruelty and lust27.
It was not possible for me to get the worsteds yesterday. I heard Edward last night pressing Henry to come to you, and I think Henry engaged to go there after his November collection. Nothing has been done as to S. and S.[23] The books came to hand too late for him to have time for it before he went. Mr. Hastings never hinted at Eliza in the smallest degree. Henry knew nothing of Mr. Trimmer's death. I tell you these things that you may not have to ask them over again.
There is a new clerk sent down to Alton, a Mr. Edmund Williams, a young man whom Henry thinks most highly of, and he turns out to be a son of the luckless Williamses of Grosvenor Place.
I long to have you hear Mr. H.'s opinion of P. and P. His admiring my Elizabeth so much is particularly welcome to me.
Instead of saving my superfluous28 wealth for you to spend, I am going to treat myself with spending it myself. I hope, at least, that I shall find some poplin at Layton and Shear's that will tempt29 me to buy it. If I do, it shall be sent to Chawton, as half will be for you; for I depend upon your being so kind as to accept it, being the main point. It[202] will be a great pleasure to me. Don't say a word. I only wish you could choose too. I shall send twenty yards.
Now for Bath. Poor F. Cage has suffered a good deal from her accident. The noise of the White Hart was terrible to her. They will keep her quiet, I dare say. She is not so much delighted with the place as the rest of the party; probably, as she says herself, from having been less well, but she thinks she should like it better in the season. The streets are very empty now, and the shops not so gay as she expected. They are at No. 1 Henrietta Street, the corner of Laura Place, and have no acquaintance at present but the Bramstons.
Lady Bridges drinks at the Cross Bath, her son at the Hot, and Louisa is going to bathe. Dr. Parry seems to be half starving Mr. Bridges, for he is restricted to much such a diet as James's, bread, water and meat, and is never to eat so much of that as he wishes, and he is to walk a great deal,—walk till he drops, I believe,—gout or no gout. It really is to that purpose. I have not exaggerated.
Charming weather for you and us, and the travellers, and everybody. You will take your walk this afternoon, and . . .
Henrietta Street, the autumn of 1813.
Miss Austen, Chawton.
By favor of Mr. Gray.
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1
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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tart
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| adj.酸的；尖酸的，刻薄的；n.果馅饼；淫妇 | |
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4
commodiously
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| adv.宽阔地，方便地 | |
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5
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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6
fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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7
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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8
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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9
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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10
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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11
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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12
clandestine
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| adj.秘密的，暗中从事的 | |
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13
revelled
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| v.作乐( revel的过去式和过去分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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14
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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15
trumpery
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| n.无价值的杂物；adj.（物品）中看不中用的 | |
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16
perking
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| （使）活跃( perk的现在分词 )； （使）增值； 使更有趣 | |
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17
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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18
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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19
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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20
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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21
durableness
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| 耐用性 | |
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22
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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23
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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24
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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26
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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27
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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28
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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29
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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