My dear Novello,—Unless you should avail yourself of the holiday to-morrow to transact any unprofessional business elsewhere, will you oblige me by coming and taking your chop or your tea here to-morrow, to talk over a proposal which Power has made me, and which I think you will consider a good one? The truth is, I want you, if you have no objection, to negotiate the money part of the business between him and me; as I have no face in these matters but a mediating one, like your own. I will chop at half-past three. At all events, in case you go to Hampstead, and can come after your schooling. Hampstead is now in my eye, hill, trees, church and all, from the slopes near Caen wood to my right, and Primrose and Haverstock Hills with Steele’s cottage to my left. I trust I shall have an early opportunity of introducing Mrs. Novello to Pan—both in his frying and sylvan character. When I add that we have been in great confusion (it is not great now), I do it to bar all objections from you on that score, and to say that I expect you the more confidently on that very account, if you can come at all. The house is most convenient and cheerful, and considered by us as quite a bargain.
P.S.—Power is half prepared to welcome you, if you have no objection. He speaks of your power (I must call him fondly my Power) in the highest terms; but this, I suppose, is no new thing to your lyrical ears.
If you can come early, we will make a whole holiday, which will be a great refreshment to me.
