[22 Mar. 1819]
Monday Evening
Many thanks my dearest Mary for your charming note written con spirito & I hope con amoreItalian for "with spirit," and "with love." The first phrase is often used in musical directions.--Forgetting the primroses was a sad reflection on all of us--the truth is that I had distracted my memory by telling Lucy--& Lucy's in loveRefers to the courtship of Mitford's servant Lucy Sweetser, who married Charles Hill on August 7, 1820.--so that exculpates her--but a worse piece of forgetfulness in me, & a very extraordinary one was omitting to take you to look for books. There is but one way to repair these various misfortunes--you must come again to fetch both books & flowers--you really must--you & the dear dear Eliza & your charming friend Miss Wheeler--Cannot you manage to come in the Donkey Chaise & stay all night? What renders your coming to me a matter of necessity is that I cannot tell when I shall be able to come & see you. Papa is going to Town tomorrow for a very uncertain time--perhaps two days--perhaps two weeks--all depends on that fine dandling thing a Chancery Suit. By the way he is not going actually about the suit but in hopes to get it finished Mr. Elliott's Lawyers having made some overtures to a
negociation
negotiation
. We heard with more regret th
an I
can tell of your dear Father's threatened attack (Mr. White told Papa of it)--but I trust it will go off. At all events his better health & the season all conspire to render such a circumstance more unpleasant than alarming.--If you cannot come & tell us how he is, you must write. Write as usual by the Carrier to the Town Hall & order Bedford if Papa is not there to put the note into the Post Office.--I had
a letter from Miss James yesterday abounding in love for you all--Mine--& all ours--to dear Mr. Webb--dear Eliza--& dear Kate Wheeler--not forgetting our dear Mary.
Ever
your's
yours
M.R.M.
To
Miss Webb