I think both Mary and you will be deeply interested in seeing it worked out. I've been at it since seven o'clock.
Yes, if I had known you were in the garden! Alas—one never can know what one wants to—I was all that afternoon seeing the blacksmith make a chopper!
Broadlands, Romsey
,
15th October (1875).
I was very thankful for your letter this morning—having heard you were unwell and being a little despondent myself—more than of late—an Italian nobleman is here who cares for nothing but shooting, and everybody thinks it perfectly right!
It is a great joy to me that you find so much in the "Stones of Venice"—I hope that book is worth the time it took me to write it, every year of youth seems to me in looking back, now so precious.
How very strange I should give you quietness, myself being always disquieted in heart—a Ghost of poor Samuel—helpless—in sight of ruining Israel.
To think of the difference between these two scenes,—Samuel at his feast sending the prepared portion to the expected Saul.