"'My dear Lady Blessington: I am superstitious, and have recollected that memorials with a point are of less fortunate augury: I will, therefore, request you to accept, instead of the pin, the inclosed chain, which is of so slight a value that you need not hesitate. As you wished for something worn, I can only say that it has been worn oftener and longer than the other. It is of Venetian manufacture, and the only peculiarity about it is that it could only be obtained at or from Venice. At Genoa they have none of the same kind. I also inclose a ring, which I would wish Alfred to keep; it is too large to wear; but it is formed of lava, and so far adapted to the fire of his years and character. You will perhaps have the goodness to acknowledge the receipt of this note, and send back the pin, (for good luck's sake,) which I shall value much more for having been a night in your custody. Ever faithfully your obliged, &c.
"'P S.—I hope your nerves are well to-day, and will continue to flourish.'"
Lady Blessington continued to write for the press with little intermission. She wrote a great many novels of which "The Repealers," was the first in point of time; and the "Victim of Society," the "Two Friends," and the "Belle of a Season," were the most popular.
When portraying the habits of fashionable society she was on familiar ground, and could write with effect; when she treated of subjects of more general interest she lost her power.
