What an alarming bride Mrs. —— must have been; such a parade is one of the most immodest pieces of modesty that one can imagine. To attract notice could have been her only wish. It augurs ill for her family; it announces not great sense, and therefore insures boundless influence.
I hope Fanny's visit is now taking place. You have said scarcely anything of her lately, but I trust you are as good friends as ever.
Martha sends her love, and hopes to have the pleasure of seeing you when you return to Southampton. You are to understand this message as being merely for the sake of a message to oblige me.
Yours affectionately,
J. Austen.
Henry never sent his love to me in your last, but I send him mine.
Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq.,
Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent.
XXXIII.
Castle Square, Tuesday (January 24).
My dear Cassandra,—I will give you the indulgence of a letter on Thursday this week, instead of Friday, but I do not require you to write again before Sunday, provided I may believe you and your finger going on quite well. Take care of your precious self; do not work too hard. Remember that Aunt Cassandras are quite as scarce as Miss Beverleys.[11]