‘DEAREST LAURA,--We have been luxuriating in the letters from Paris.... All things look so bright and joyous! I have twice sung “The World is so Bright” to-day _con amore_, and my heart is so lightsome that I could dance. I do not think that I have _once_ seen precious Father dull since my return. He desires me to say that he cannot quite countenance a visit to Lebanon. It is rather too far, and Lord Ellesmere was very ill on his way thither; so dear ---- must give up her Blackbeard, and content herself with Sir Peter. Now Mamma is reading St. George’s note. Papa is smiling away,--his dear lips apart. He looks so nice in Clara’s beautiful cap!