IX.
Persano, Thursday Night,
[Jan. 12th, 1792.]
Never put yourself in a hurry, my dear Emma.
I have got your two kind letters. Send for Gasparo; and give your orders, that the servants attend your call: and let him discharge them, if they do not. You are my better half, and may command. Translate this part of the letter to him.
We have had good sport to-day, though the bad weather came on at eleven o'clock. Fifty-four wild boars have been killed, I had seven shot; and killed five, three of which are enormous. Dispose of the boar I send you to-day as you think proper.
I always thought Ruspoli a dirty fellow; but what has he done of late?
As to your mother's going with you to the English parties, very well; but, believe me, it will be best for her, and more to her happiness, to stay at home, than go with you to the Neapolitan parties.
The King is in good humour to-day, as I foretold. We continue to dine at eight at night, and have nothing from breakfast to that hour. But I give tea and bread and butter, of which Prince Ausberg and Lamberg partake with pleasure. The Prince, having no opportunity of making love, does nothing but talk of his new flame, which is Lady A. Hatton. I put him right; for he thought she spelt her name with two rr, instead of two tt.
I rejoice at your having Aprile again; pray, tell him so: for I know the rapid progress you will make under his care.
My cold is near gone. The worst is, my room smokes confoundedly; and so do all the other rooms, except the King's.
Adieu, my dear Emma! Amuse yourself as well as you can; and believe me, ever, your's alone, with the utmost confidence,