I put all the reviews in a row on a big table, and lashed
myself into a spiteful humour one by one, so that my usually suave pen
was dipped with gall and caustic. You will have had my last, I think,
from Marienbad. I then joined Dick at Vienna, where we spent a few
days; and then went to Venice for the _fetes_, which were marvellous,
and the Queen was lovely. Then we came home, and had two charming,
quiet, delicious months together; and to my joy he gave up dining out
and dined at home _tete-a-tete_; but of course it was overshadowed by
the knowledge of the coming parting, which I feel terribly this time,
as I go on getting older. We left together in the Cunarder _Demerara_.
Her route was Trieste, Venice, Fiume, Patras, Gibraltar, England. By
dropping off at Fiume I got ten days on board with him. He leaves her
at Gibraltar about the 7th; goes to Cadiz, Lisbon, Madeira, and Axim on
the West Coast. He has to change ship four times, and this is a great
anxiety to me in this stormy weather. God keep him safe! Once at Axim,
the mines are all round the coast, and then I dread fever for him. He
wishes to make a little trip to the Kong Mountains, and then I fear
natives and beasts. Perhaps Cameron will be with him; but _entre nous_
Cameron is not very solid, and requires a leading hand. If all goes
well (D.V., and may He be merciful), we are to meet in London in March,
and I hope we shall get a glimpse of you.
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