“You see I have obeyed your orders and dated. I own the day of the month is wanting, but you must make allowance for a * * * beginner.
“I have not been out of the house till yesterday, when Mrs. Windham called, and would take no denial—so home I went and dined with them. She desired me to ask you if you thought you could procure a box at Drury-lane or the Adelphi. I did not like to refuse asking you—as at the worst it only costs you a civil excuse. She asked me to go and see Gustave on Tuesday, which I declined; and I suspect Mr. W. won’t stand two boxes in one week. Saturday is the night she wants it, but of course don’t bother yourself. I am very anxious to hear what you are doing—I think if you could manage it, a run down to Clifton would do you a world of good. I want so to know if you approved my review of the ‘B. of Beauty.’ I miss so very much not being able to talk to you about my judgments before they become quite definite. There was such handsome mention of my story and poem of the ‘New Monthly,’ in the ‘Morning Post’—and even the ‘Atlas’ praises my tale of ‘The Pleiad.’ I was so sorry to hear of your sore throat. I have seen nobody, heard nothing—begin to despair of Bentley publishing my novel. I do consider myself such an ill-used person.
“If you should send before I come in, this will be ready. I am going for some paper.
“Yours truly,
