We are very happy, having almost recovered our old _tête-à-tête_, of which I am so selfishly fond that I am beginning to feel it an heroic effort when I make up my mind to invite half a dozen visitors. But it is necessary to strive against this unsocial disposition, so we are going to have some open evenings.
There is great talk of a new periodical--a fortnightly apparition, partly on the plan of the _Revue des Deux Mondes_. Mr. Lewes has consented to become its editor, if the preliminaries are settled so as to satisfy him.
_Ecco!_ I have told you a little of our news, not daring to ask you anything about yourself, since you evidently don't want to tell me anything.
[Sidenote: Letter to Mrs. Congreve, 19th Feb. 1865.]
The party was a "mull." The weather was bad. Some of the invited were ill and sent regrets, others were not ardent enough to brave the damp evening--in fine, only twelve came. We had a charade, which, like our neighbors, was no better than it should have been, and some rather languid music, our best musicians half failing us--so ill is merit rewarded in this world! If the severest sense of fulfilling a duty could make one's parties pleasant, who so deserving as I? I turn my inward shudders into outward smiles, and talk fast, with a sense of lead on my tongue. However, Mr. Pigott made a woman's part in the charade so irresistibly comic that I tittered at it at intervals in my sleepless hours. I am rather uncomfortable about you, because you seemed so much less well and strong the other day than your average. Let me hear before long how you and Mr. Congreve are.
_Feb. 21._--Ill and very miserable. George has taken my drama away from me.
[Sidenote: Letter to Mrs. Congreve, 27th Feb. 1865.]
The sun shone through my window on your letter as I read it, adding to its cheeriness. It was good of you to write it. I was ill last week, and had mental troubles besides--happily such as are unconnected with any one's experience except my own. I am still ailing, but striving hard "not to mind," and not to diffuse my inward trouble, according to Madame de Vaux's excellent maxim. I shall not, I fear, be able to get to you till near the end of next week--towards the 11th. I think of you very often, and especially when my own _malaise_ reminds me how much of your time is spent in the same sort of endurance. Mr. Spencer told us yesterday that Dr. Ransom said he had cured himself of dyspepsia by leaving off stimulants--the full benefit manifesting itself after two or three months of abstinence. I am going to try. All best regards to Mr. Congreve and tenderest sisterly love to yourself.
