I have met my cousins, who are both very friendly. Cousin James is about to enjoy his first Season, having graduated last summer. You must tell Charles that he was quite correct, and young gentlemen embarking upon life in the Ton are definitely ‘pups’. He will know what I mean and explain it to you. What surprises me is that Cousin James seems so tongue-tied with me, since he has sisters. Charles was never so awkward, and he has no siblings whatsoever. Cousin Caroline is very pretty, and has a soft voice. My first thought was that she is shy, but it turns out that she is not, but merely possessed of the soft tone of voice. We have discovered that we share the same tastes in poetry (which will make Charles shake his head, since he hates Lord Byron’s poems) and look awful in anything pink. I think we shall be the best of friends. My Uncle Elstead will be franking this for me, but he is going back to his estates for several weeks Tuesday next, so I may have to send letters crossed, Papa, though I know you find them difficult to decipher.

I miss you terribly, but I am trying not to mope, and indeed, I am sure that once I am engaged at parties and not sat about thinking, I shall be happy enough. Tell Charles that I hope to write to him also in the near future.

Do send me all the news from home, especially when Mr Preston brings Dido to you. She was the sweetest puppy, Papa, and so bold and interested.

I must close now and dress for dinner. If I give this to my uncle it may be on its way to you in the morning.

I remain, dearest Papa,
Your devoted daughter,
Henrietta

As she addressed the letter she wiped away a tear and sniffed, but had regained her composure by the time she joined her relations before dinner. It was the first time that she had met Lord Elstead, and although her first impression of him was that he was a trifle severe in demeanour, he went out of his way to be amiable, and by the time the ladies withdrew, she was much more at her ease with him, and thought him very sensible.