1825-1827] Emma at Maer 205 



say the truth I was ashamed of myself; he has a very sweet, 

 unresenting disposition. 



On Friday I went again to Lady Cawdor, and asked her 

 to come and breakfast with us on Sunday or drink tea again 

 on Saturday. She refused both invitations, which gave me 

 great pleasure, but said she would meet me on Sunday at 

 La Boissiere. So here ends the plague of my hospitality to 

 her; she is looking still very handsome and was much ad- 

 mired here on Thursday, and at La Boissiere on Sunday. 

 Certainly she has the sweetest countenance I ever beheld in 

 a woman of her age. Age generally long before 50 gives us 

 a few wrinkles that look very like frowns; her brow is still 

 smooth and polished as at 20. 



Emma Wedgwood to her aunt Madame Sismondi. 



COLOGNE, Friday, July 20 [1827]. 



. . . Fanny found your letter here. I must say you write 

 the pleasantest letters in the world, because you tell your 

 own feelings and that is what one is most interested about. 

 I shall leave to Fanny to tell you about our delightful 

 journey from Mayence here, because she has much more 

 taste for the beauties of nature than I have. I am sorry 

 for Edward at Gervais, but I have no doubt he will make 

 many bosom friends in a short time, as he always does. I 

 wish I had been by to see you in such a passion, you naughty 

 woman. . . . 



After arriving at Maer, Emma wrote (31 July, 1827) that 

 she felt it quite natural to be at home, and that she was very 

 happy, though very idle and dissipated. ' Mamma read 

 aloud all the poison for us in your last letter. I suppose 

 she thought M. Moulton's compliments will not ruin us for 

 life. Those cunning old men know that anything about 

 vos aimables nieces will go down with you." 



