LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN
What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps
one in a continual state of inelegance.
If Miss Pearson should return with me, pray
be careful not to expect too much beauty. I
will not pretend to say that on a first view she
quite answered the opinion I had formed of her.
My mother, I am sure, will be disappointed if
she does not take great care. From what I remember
of her picture, it is no great resemblance.
I am very glad that the idea of returning with Frank occurred to me; for as to Henry′s coming into Kent again, the time of its taking place is so very uncertain that I should be waiting for dead mens shoes. I had once determined to go with Frank to-morrow and take my chance, &c., but they dissuaded me from so rash a step, as I really think on consideration it would have been; for if the Pearsons were not at home, I should inevitably fall a sacrifice to the arts of some fat woman who would make me drunk with small beer.
Mary is brought to bed of a boy — both doing very well. I shall leave you to guess what Mary I mean. Adieu, with best love to all your agreeable inmates. Don’t let the Lloyds go on any account before I return, unless Miss P. is of the party. How ill I have written! I begin to hate myself.
Yours ever,
