26 November 1815 – Sunday – from Hans Place

My Dearest

The Parcel arrived safely, & I am much obliged to you for your trouble.– it cost 2s.10– but as there is a certain saving of 2s.4-1/2 on the other side, I am sure it is well worth doing.– I send 4 pr of Silk Stockgs— but I do not want them washed at present. In the 3 neckhandfs. I include the one sent down before.– These things perhaps Edwd may be able to bring, but even if he is not, I am extremely pleased with his returning to you from Steventon. It is much better– far preferable.– I did mention the P.R- in my note to Mr Murray, it brought me a fine compliment in return; whether it has done any other good I do not know, but Henry thought it worth trying.– The Printers continue to supply me very well, I am advanced in vol. 3. to my arra-root, upon which peculiar style of spelling, there is a modest qu:ry? in the Margin.– I will not forget Anna’s arrow-root.–

I hope you have told Martha of my first resolution of letting nobody know that I might dedicate &c– for fear of being obliged to do it– & that she is thoroughly convinced of my being influenced now by nothing but the most mercenary motives.– I have paid nine shillings on her account to Miss Palmer; there was no more oweing.– Well– we were very busy all yesterday; from 1/2 past 11 to 4 in the Streets, working almost entirely for other people, driving from Place to Place after a parcel for Sandling which we could never find, & encountering the miseries of Grafton House to get a purple frock for Eleanor Bridges.– We got to Keppel St however, which was all I cared for– & though we could stay only a qr of an hour, Fanny’s calling gave great pleasure & her Sensibility still greater, for she was very much affected at the sight of the Children.– Poor little F. looked heavy.– We saw the whole Party.– Aunt Hart hopes Cassy will not forget to make a pincushion for Mrs Kelly– as she has spoken of its’ being promised her several times.– I hope we shall see Aunt H.– & the dear little Girls here on Thursday.– so much for the morng; then came the dinner & Mr Haden who brought good Manners & clever conversation;– from 7 to 8 the Harp;– at 8 Mrs L. & Miss E. arrived– & for the rest of the Eveng the Drawg-room was thus arranged, on the Sopha-side the two Ladies Henry & myself making the best of it, on the opposite side Fanny & Mr Haden in two chairs (I beleive at least they had two chairs) talking together uninterruptedly.– Fancy the scene! And what is to be fancied next?– Why that Mr H. dines here again tomorrow.– To day we are to have Mr Barlow.– Mr H. is reading Mansfield Park for the first time & prefers it to P&P.– A Hare & 4 Rabbits from Gm yesterday, so that we are stocked for nearly a week.– Poor Farmer Andrews! I am very sorry for him, & sincerely wish his recovery.– A better account of the Sugar than I could have expected. I should like to help you break some more.– I am glad you cannot wake early, I am sure you must have been under great arrears of rest.– Fanny & I have been to B. Chapel, & walked back with Miss Cuthbert.– We have been very little plagued with visitors this last week, I remember only Miss Herries the Aunt, but I am in terror for to day, a fine bright Sunday, plenty of Mortar & nothing to do.– Henry gets out in his Garden every day, but at present his inclination for doing more seems over, nor has he now any plan for leaving London before Dec: 18, when he thinks of going to Oxford for a few days;– to day indeed, his feelings are for continuing where he is, through the next two months. One knows the uncertainty of all this, but should it be so, we must think the best & hope the best & do the best– and my idea in that case is, that when he goes to Oxford I should go home & have nearly a week of you before you take my place.– This is only a silent project you know, to be gladly given up, if better things occur.– Henry calls himself stronger every day & Mr H. keeps on approving his Pulse– which seems generally better than ever– but still they will not let him be well.– The fever is not yet quite removed.– The Medicine he takes (the same as before you went) is cheifly to improve his Stomach, & only a little aperient. He is so well, that I cannot think why he is not perfectly well.– I should not have supposed his Stomach at all disordered but there the Fever speaks probably;– but he has no headache, no sickness, no pains, no Indigestions!– Perhaps when Fanny is gone, he will be allowed to recover faster.– I am not disappointed, I never thought the little girl at Wyards very pretty, but she will have a fine complexion & curling hair & pass for a beauty.– We are glad the Mama’s cold has not been worse– & send her our Love & good wishes by every convenient opportunity. Sweet amiable Frank! why does he have a cold too? Like Capt. Mirvan to Mde Duval, “I wish it well over with him.” Fanny has heard all that I have said to you about herself & Mr H.– Thank you very much for the sight of dearest Charles’s Letter to yourself.– How pleasantly & how naturally he writes! and how perfect a picture of his Disposition & feelings, his style conveys!– Poor dear Fellow!– not a Present!– I have a great mind to send him all the twelve Copies which were to have been dispersed among my near Connections– beginning with the P.R. & ending with Countess Morley.– Adeiu.– Yrs affecly
J. Austen