Page:Life of Octavia Hill as told in her letters.djvu/262

 they are gloomy—or might somehow pain me;—but they would not. I know him too well for that, and I should like to see them.

I have been reading Browning's "Rabbi Ben Ezra." I think it one of the truest things he, or anyone else, has ever written.

Miranda's letters are so delightful. Her fun always touches me somehow, and never too much.&hellip; So my pride is to be broken every way, and even those proudly triumphant P. P. accounts are to get into a mess.

I am much honoured by dear Mr. Maurice's interest about my return; I see S. Ursula never got back; but I think I must give up all claim to the name, if it depended on the 11,000 virgins; tho' the number swells now even here.

Via de Serragli, January 24th, 1868.

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I seize the time when I am bright and hopeful to write to you dear ones at home; and for once will tell you facts not feelings. I have just returned from my visit to the S.'s. It has been very delightful.&hellip; M. is full of will and temper, and, not understanding any English, would be wholly unmanageable by me; and I keep a good deal away from her. But the others, strangely enough, have attached themselves warmly to me; and there seems no end to the amusements I can think of for them; and I have so enjoyed it. They are not the least tiring children, partly because they are quiet; partly, I fancy, because I have not to try to do other things too, but give my whole thought to them. It is so soothing to feel the dear little hands in mine,