I now send instead of me, and how these are welcome in that quarter
to the sitter of Herr Platz, while their author was not very
welcome even in the villainous restaurant where he tried to eat a
meal and rather failed.

And this leads me directly to a confession. The photograph which
shall accompany this is not chosen as the most like, but the best-
looking. Put yourself in my place, and you will call this
pardonable. Even as it is, even putting forth a flattered
presentment, I am a little pained; and very glad it is a photograph
and not myself that has to go; for in this case, if it please you,
you can tell yourself it is my image - and if it displeased you,
you can lay the blame on the photographer; but in that, there were
no help, and the poor author might belie his labours.

KIDNAPPED should soon appear; I am afraid you may not like it, as
it is very unlike PRINCE OTTO in every way; but I am myself a great
admirer of the two chief characters, Alan and David. VIRGINIBUS
PUERISQUE has never been issued in the States. I do not think it
is a book that has much charm for publishers in any land; but I am
to bring out a new edition in England shortly, a copy of which I
must try to remember to send you. I say try to remember, because I
have some superficial acquaintance with myself: and I have
determined, after a galling discipline, to promise nothing more
until the day of my death: at least, in this way, I shall no more
break my word, and I must now try being churlish instead of being
false.

I do not believe you to be the least like Seraphina. Your
photograph has no trace of her, which somewhat relieves me, as I am