"Villa Morelli, Florence, _Sept_. 29,1866.
"I have conceived a new story which may, I think, turn out well. I do not wish to do it hurriedly, but if you think it would suit you by the opening of the New Year, I will go on to shape and mould it in my head, and when in a state to do so, send you some pages.
"I can afford to be frank with you, for I think you wish me well. I believe there is some thought of giving me advancement, but even if it come, it will not suffice for my wants, and I must write (at all events) _one more novel_. I trust you understand me well enough to know that I am not pressing my wares on you, because _I_ want to dispose of them, or that if it be your wish or your convenience to say 'No' that it will alter anything in our friendship. You will bear this well in mind in giving me your reply.
"I don't believe I shall do better than 'Sir Brook.' I don't think it is _in_ me, but I will try to do as well, and certainly if it is for _you_, I will not do my work less vigorously nor with less heart in it. There is certainly plenty of time to think of all this, but I _think_ better and more purposely when the future is, to a certain degree, assured, and my new story will get a stronger hold on me if I know that you too are interested in its welfare."
"My best thanks for your note and its enclosure. They only reached me last night, though dated 30th, but the mails go by God knows what route now, as the inundations have completely cut the Mont Cenis line. I send off the Nov. 'Sir B.' to-night. There are two or three small corrections which had escaped me. I think if the book be largely known it may succeed. I hope 'The Times' may notice it--is this likely? I shall ask for some copies for a few friends, and my own can be addressed to me under cover to F. Alston, Esq., F. O. My eldest daughter, who went carefully over the corrections, says I have done nothing as good. By the way, I have not gone over Sept. and Oct. Nos. See that Sewell is never Walter, always _duelling_, and look well to any other lapses.
"I am all wrong in health, and depressed most damnably. I go down to Spezzia to have a swim or two to try to rally, and I shall take the O'Ds. with me for correction.