Page:Blanchard on L. E. L.pdf/75

Rh that she liked could she be long silent, and if conversation was denied her, she wrote somebody a note describing the novelty that had charmed her, or apostrophising the stranger in whom she had taken an interest.

The following will serve as well as any to give the specimen required. The heartiness of the allusion to Mr. Macready is characteristic, for she never spoke to him in her life, and never saw him but upon the stage.

"So long, my dearest Mrs. Hall, as the north wind continues, I shall consider myself privileged to write you a now-and-then note, by way of a morning call. I looked eagerly this morning at the 'Gazette' for 'Mothers and Daughters;' I liked the extract excessively—a portrait—oh! so very true—taken from nature—the artist's most difficult task. I see, too, or gather I guess, there is a change in the theatrical politics of the 'Gazette;' I am sure, tant mieux in that respect—though I don't dare say as much to Mr. Jerdan—but it gave me downright pleasure to see Macready done justice to. But 'my hour is come;' and it is too disinterested an act of friendship to lose my supper, as I very much doubt your thanking me for so doing."

The supper appears to have been interrupted most agreeably by the arrival of a pretty present from the very lady who was in her thoughts when she sat down to it, and the pen is gaily resumed;—"Don't tell me of Limerick, seeing 'as how,' I feel convinced— 'Never did mortal fingers frame Tissue of such woven air!' I never did see anything so delicate as the gloves