At last, my dear Aunt Mary, we have actually left Paris. Perhaps we may
be detained here for some days, as the wind is directly against us; but
we have no reason to lament, as we are in Grandsire's excellent house,
and have books and thoughts enough to occupy us. Thoughts of friends
from whom we have parted, and of friends to whom we are going. How few
people in this world are so rich in friends! When I reflect upon the
kindness which has been shown to us abroad, and upon the affection that
awaits us at home, I feel afraid that I shall never be able to deserve
my share of all this happiness.
Charlotte is perfectly well: I believe no young woman was ever more
admired at Paris than she has been, and none was ever less spoiled by
admiration.
DOVER, _March_ 6.
All alive and merry: just landed, after a fine passage of six hours.
* * * * *
Mrs. Edgeworth narrates:
On our arrival in London, we found the expected letter from M. Le
Breton. It had been agreed that if there was to be peace, he was to
conclude his letter with "Mes hommages à la charmante Mademoiselle
Charlotte": if war, the _charmante_ was to be omitted. He ended his
letter, which made not the smallest allusion to politics or public
events, with "Mes hommages à Mademoiselle Charlotte," and we set out for
Edinburgh.
On the first rumours of war, while we were in France, Mr. Edgeworth
wrote to warn his son Lovell, who was on his way from Geneva to Paris,
but he never received the letter: he was stopped on his journey, made
prisoner, and remained among the _détenus_ for eleven years, till the
end of the war in 1814.
MARIA EDGEWORTH _to_ MRS. MARY SNEYD.