Volume Iii Part 38 (1/2)

I have lost no time in answering this, but you must brace up your energies to write him a short note too, and another for the Queen.

If you are in Paris, shall I ascertain what authority I shall need from you to receive the half-year, which I suppose will be shortly due? I can receive it as usual.

With all good wishes and congratulations, seasonable and unseasonable,

Always faithfully yours.

[Sidenote: The Hon. Mrs. Watson.]

DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, _Monday Morning, Dec. 30th, 1850._

MY DEAR MRS. WATSON,

As your letter is _decided_, the scaffolding shall be re-erected round Charley's boots (it has been taken down, and the workmen had retired to their respective homes in various parts of England and Wales) and his dressing proceeded with. I have been very much pleased with him in the matter, as he has never made the least demonstration of disappointment or mortification, and was perfectly contented to give in. (_Here I break off to go to Boxall._) (_Here I return much exhausted._)

Your time shall be stated in the bills for both nights. I propose to rehea.r.s.e on the day, on Thursday and Friday, and in the evening on Sat.u.r.day, that we may try our lights. Therefore:

{will come on Tuesday, 7th January, as there must be a {responsible person to anathematise, and as the company NATHAN {seem so slow about their dresses, that I foresee the AND {strong probability of Nathan having a good deal to do STAGE CARPENTER {at Rockingham without respect.

WILSON will come on Sat.u.r.day, 11th January.

TUCKER will come on Sat.u.r.day, 11th January.

I shall be delighted to see your brother, and so no more at present from

Yours ever, COLDSTREAM FREELOVE DOCTOR d.i.c.kENS.

P.S.--As Boxall (with his head very much on one side and his spectacles on) danced backward from the canvas incessantly with great nimbleness, and returned, and made little digs at it with his pencil, with a horrible grin on his countenance, I augur that he pleased himself this morning.

”Tag” added by Mr. d.i.c.kens to ”Animal Magnetism,” played at Rockingham Castle.

ANIMAL MAGNETISM.--TAG.

[After LA FLEUR says to the Marquis: ”Sir, return him the wand; and the ladies, I daresay, will fall in love with him again.”]

DOCTOR. I'm cheated, robbed! I don't believe! I hate Wand, Marquis, Doctor, Ward, Lisette, and Fate!

LA FLEUR. Not me?

DOCTOR. _You_ worse, you rascal, than the rest.

LA FLEUR. (_bowing_). To merit it, good sir, I've done my best.

LISETTE. (_sharply_). And I.

CONSTANCE. I fear that I too have a claim Upon your anger.

LISETTE. Anger, madam? Shame!

He's justly treated, as he might have known.

And if the wand were a divining one It would have turn'd, within his very hands, Point-blank to where your handsome husband stands.