1839] The First Dinner-Party 31 



her, tho' she is very comfortable and very sympathising. 

 We have just had a long talk over my fire, for this is the 

 only quiet and private time I can find to write to you in. 

 I do not however deserve your compliment, for it was only 

 sometimes that I minded much beforehand the thoughts 

 of losing you. The wedding was a sort of thing always 

 in view to intercept one's attention. I have minded the 

 reality more than I expected, but that will not last, and I 

 shall doubly enjoy the piece of your society I shall get, 

 now I shall not have it all. I shall be obliged to practise 

 more decision of character now I have not you to help me 

 to settle everything great and small. I have always felt 

 ashamed of the compliments in the letters to my unselfish- 

 ness, for what mother ever was not rejoiced at a daughter's 

 making a happy marriage, and people look on it as a thing 

 of course. And so it is, though there are not many daughters 

 or sisters have so many qualities for making those they 

 live with happy. I think indeed Susan runs you hard. 

 She is gone to-day to Fenton, where she will stay all the 

 week at least, and she will be of the greatest comfort to 

 Jos at any rate. 



You have had your dinner-party to-day and I dare say 

 Charles looked very proud to have you at the head of his 

 table. I found Mary, the night before last, sitting by my 

 fire crying over a poem she had cut out of the paper, " The 

 Bride's farewell to her Parents," dated the 29th of January 

 too. There really were many pretty thoughts in it. 



My father says he should like to have a drawing of you, 

 which I am very glad of. Is Mr Richmond come back ? 

 I don't know whether Mr Holmes is better than him or 

 not, I rather think he is tho'. 



Emma Darwin to her sister Elizabeth Wedgwood. 



GOWER STREET, Tuesday, February 5 [1839]. 



MY DEAR ELIZABETH, 



I can't remember what we did on Saturday, except 

 talking about a good deal and meeting a pianoforte van in 



