LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN
that we should equally have had after the first two yards had half the inhabitants of Bath set off with us.
It would have amused you to see our progress. We went up by Sion Hill, and returned across the fields. In climbing a hill Mrs. Chamberlayne is very capital; I could with difficulty keep pace with her, yet would not flinch for the world. On plain ground I was quite her equal. And so we posted away under a fine hot sun, she without any parasol or any shade to her hat, stopping for nothing, and crossing the churchyard at Weston with as much expedition as if we were afraid of being buried alive. After seeing what she is equal to, I cannot help feeling a regard for her. As to agreeableness, she is much like other people.
Yesterday evening we had a short call from two of the Miss Arnolds, who came from Chippenliam on business. They are very civil, and not too genteel, and upon hearing that we wanted a house, recommended one at Chippenham.
This morning we have been visited again by Mrs. and Miss Holder; they wanted us to fix an evening for drinking tea with them, but my mother’s still remaining cold allows her to decline everything of the kind. As I had a separate
invitation, however, I believe I shall go
