October 22d

 

Dear Mother—I am off in a day or two to visit some new country; I haven’t yet decided¹ which.  I have satisfied myself with regard to France, and obtained a good knowledge of the language.  I have enjoyed my visit to Madame de Maisonrouge deeply, and feel as if I were leaving a circle of real friends.  Everything has gone on beautifully up to the end, and every one has been as kind and attentive² as if I were their own sister, especially Mr. Verdier, the French gentleman, from whom I have gained more than I ever expected (in six weeks), and with whom I have promised to correspond³.  So you can imagine me dashing off the most correct French letters; and, if you don’t believe it, I will keep the rough draft⁴ to show you when I go back.

 

The German gentleman is also more interesting, the more you know him; it seems sometimes as if I could fairly drink in his ideas.  I have found out why the young lady from New York doesn’t like me!  It is because I said one day at dinner that I admired to go to the Louvre.  Well, when I first came, it seemed as if I did admire everything!

 

Tell William Platt his letter has come.  I knew he would have to write, and I was bound⁵ I would make him!  I haven’t decided what country I will visit yet; it seems as if there were so many to choose from.  But I shall take care to pick out a good one, and to meet plenty of fresh experiences.

 

Dearest mother, my money holds out, and it is most interesting!

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