August 1836

Dearest Rosa,

I am delighted with this clever clockwork pigeon. What a superb idea.

I’m afraid there is still no sign of the ghost butterfly, although you will doubtless be amused to hear that I fell into a gaming pit whilst chasing after another species last week. I’d travelled further than intended, when my guide indicated that the scratch marks on the trees surrounding us meant that there were leopards in the vicinity. I thought it judicious to turn back, and we were on the point of doing so when I fell straight through a clump of underbrush and found myself on a lot of beastly spikes some fifteen feet below ground in a big clay game-pit.

My guide soon hauled me out with a bush-rope, but those spikes must have been twelve inches long. It’s at times like that you realise the blessing of a good thick skirt. Thankfully I was unharmed, save for the fact that I managed to lose my last hat-pin, which is quite a blow. Still, to you I will confess that falling into that pit was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in a long time. I doubt any other ladies of my acquaintance will understand, but I imagine you will. It was an adventure, infinitely preferable to morning calls. And we made it back to the hotel without being mauled by leopards, so it all ended well besides.

Your friend,

Beatrice