LETTER XVII. 181 



LETTER XVII. 



Victoria, B.C. 



Sept., 1887. 

 DEAR LINA, 



If you have had my husband's letters 

 forwarded to you by Mr. E., you must know 

 what he has been doing for the last three weeks. 

 I flatter myself that you would a great deal 

 rather know what I have been about. ' I want 

 you to stay at Victoria,' my husband said on 

 leaving me, ' and see if you think it would be 

 a pleasant place for you to live in.' I have been 

 obeying him to the letter, and I find that 

 Victoria, with no household worries, would be 

 charming ; and Victoria, even if you had to keep 

 house, would be decidedly bearable if you were 

 lucky enough to get a good Chinaman. Life 

 here for a woman depends, my dear, a good deal 

 upon the Chinese, and your reputation as a 

 mistress in Chinatown is one of your most 

 valuable possessions. If you are lucky, and treat 



