Mortimer-st., Cavendish-sq.
_Tuesday night, May [11], 1784._
I am come, dearest Burney. It is neither dream nor fiction, though
I love you dearly, or I would not have come. Absence and distance do
nothing towards wearing out real affection so you shall always find it
in your true and tender H. L. T.
I am somewhat shaken bodily, but 'tis the mental shocks that have made
me unable to bear the corporeal ones. 'Tis past ten o'clock, however,
and I must lay myself down with the sweet expectation of seeing my
charming friend in the morning to breakfast. I love Dr. Burney too well
to fear him, and he loves me too well to say a word which should make me
love him less.
_May 17._--Let me now, my Susy, acquaint you a little more connectedly
than I have done of late how I have gone on. The rest of that week I
devoted almost wholly to sweet Mrs. Thrale, whose society was truly the
most delightful of cordials to me, however, at times, mixed with bitters
the least palatable. Were I not sensible of her goodness, and full of
incurable affection for her, should I not be a monster?...
I parted most reluctantly with my dear Mrs. Thrale, whom, when or how I
shall see again heaven only knows! but in sorrow we parted--on my side
in real affliction.
[Towards the end of July in this year, Mrs. Thrale's second
marriage took place with Mr. Piozzi, and Miss Burney went
about the same time to Norbury Park, where she passed some
weeks with Mr and Mrs. Locke. The following “sketch” of a
letter, and memorandum of what had recently passed between
Mrs. Piozzi and herself, is from the journal of that
period.]