promise to make him a visit bye and bye; 'pray do', you can then so
easily come here. I have set my heart upon it. Consider how very long
it is since I've seen you.

"I have indeed 'much' to tell you; but it is more easily 'said' than
'written'. Probably you have heard of many changes in our situation
since you left England; in a 'pecuniary' point of view it is
materially altered for the worse; perhaps in other respects better.
Col. Leigh has been in Dorsetshire and Sussex during my stay in Town.
I expect him at home towards the end of this week, and hope to make
him acquainted with you ere long.

"I have not time to write half I have to say, for my letter must go;
but I prefer writing in a hurry to not writing at all. You can't think
how much I feel for your griefs and losses, or how much and constantly
I have thought of you lately. I began a letter to you in Town, but
destroyed it, from the fear of appearing troublesome. There are times,
I know, when one cannot write with any degree of comfort or
satisfaction. I intend to do so again shortly, so I hope yon won't
think me a bore.

"Remember me most kindly to Old Joe. I rejoice to hear of his health
and prosperity. Your letter (some parts of it at least) made me laugh.
I am so very glad to hear you have sufficiently overcome your
prejudices against the 'fair sex' to have determined upon marrying;
but I shall be most anxious that my future 'Belle Soeur' should have
more attractions than merely money, though to be sure 'that' is
somewhat necessary. I have not another moment, dearest B., so forgive
me if I write again very soon, and believe me,