I am not disappointed: I never thought the little girl at Wyards very pretty, but she will have a fine complexion and curly hair, and pass for a beauty. We are glad the mamma's cold has not been worse, and send her our love and good wishes by every convenient opportunity. Sweet, amiable Frank! why does he have a cold too? Like Captain Mirvan to Mr. Duval,[36] "I wish it well over with him."
Fanny has heard all that I have said to you about herself and Mr. H. Thank you very much for the sight of dearest Charles's letter to yourself. How pleasantly and how naturally he writes! and how perfect a picture of his disposition and feelings his style conveys! Poor dear fellow! Not a present!
I have a great mind to send him all the twelve copies which were to have been dispersed among my near connections, beginning with the P. R.[37] and ending with Countess Morley. Adieu.
Yours affectionately,
J. Austen.
Give my love to Cassy and Mary Jane. Caroline will be gone when this reaches you.
Miss Austen.
FOOTNOTES:
[36] Characters in Miss Burney's "Evelina."
[37] Prince Regent.