Volume Iii Part 42 (2/2)
It is quite clear we could do nothing else with the drains than what you have done. Will it be at all a heavy item in the estimate?
If there be the _least_ chance of a necessity for the pillar, let us have it. Let us dance in peace, whatever we do, and only go into the kitchen by the staircase.
Have they cut the door between the drawing-room and the study yet? The foreman will let Shoolbred know when the feat is accomplished.
O! and did you tell him of another bra.s.s ventilator in the dining-room, opening into the dining-room flue?
I don't think I shall come to town until you want to show the progress, whenever that may be. I shall look forward to another dinner, and I think we must encourage the Oriental, for the goodness of its wine.
I am getting a complete set of a certain distinguished author's works prepared for a certain distinguished architect, which I hope he will accept, as a slight, though very inadequate, etc. etc.; affectionate, etc.; so heartily and kindly taking so much interest, etc. etc.
Love to Laet.i.tia.
Ever affectionately.
[Sidenote: Mr. Henry Austin.]
BROADSTAIRS, KENT, _October 7th, 1851._
MY DEAR HENRY,
O! O! O! D---- the Pantechnicon. O!
I will be at Tavistock House at twelve on Sat.u.r.day, and then will wait for you until I see you. If we return together--as I hope we shall--our express will start at half-past four, and we ought to dine (somewhere about Temple Bar) at three.
The infamous ---- says the stoves shall be fixed to-morrow.
O! if this were to last long; the distraction of the new book, the whirling of the story through one's mind, escorted by workmen, the imbecility, the wild necessity of beginning to write, the not being able to do so, the, O! I should go---- O!
Ever affectionately.
P.S.--None. I have torn it off.
[Sidenote: Miss Mary Boyle.]
BROADSTAIRS, KENT, _October 10th, 1851._
ON THE DEATH OF HER MOTHER.
MY DEAR MISS BOYLE,
Your remembrance at such a time--not thrown away upon me, trust me--is a sufficient a.s.surance that you know how truly I feel towards you, and with what an earnest sympathy I must think of you now.
G.o.d be with you! There is indeed nothing terrible in such a death, nothing that we would undo, nothing that we may remember otherwise than with deeply thankful, though with softened hearts.
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