| Transcript or Index | Upper Portland Place
June 25th 1823
My Dear Sir,
I am inclined to be half affronted at your asking me whether I shall be engaged tomorrow Evening – I should certainly think myself wanting not only in common good manners, but in something of a better feeling, if I allowed any Engagement to interfere with that of meeting you <on such an occasion>. I am not however sorry that I am not to expect you tonight, as I shall now be able to attend an appointment on business of some consequence which I yesterday told my sister she must manage for me.
We dine here as you know, soon after one, and then, weather permitting, I shall be out from about three to five, but all the rest of the day at home – and I beg you to recollect that as I am no longer obliged to indulge in bad habits, I am ready and happy to see anyone after nine a.m. should you find it convenient to come here tomorrow before you go to the Custom House, or should you at any other time feel inclined to make an early call, but it is quite the same to me tomorrow so don’t take up a wrong impression.
Gower Street is much as before – I confess I am a bad hand at giving remembrances, and doubt whether yours have always been duly delivered or whether I have always acquitted myself of the commissions given in return. I once had near made mischief by my negligence on this head, having considered said messages as mere words of course, which in fact they are, nine times out of ten.
I have matter in my head for a long letter, but as I am to see you tomorrow I will keep it, lest I should have nothing to say, a distress which I suppose you will irreverently observe, seldom befalls a female; and which perhaps you will add is not my fault in general, but I can assure you I often hold my tongue for hours together when I am with those I don’t like. I have mended my speech with a witness now however, have I not? You must e’en construe it as pleases you best; or I suppose I must talk nineteen to the dozen tomorrow to prove that I do not place you in that class; and as my head is evidently a little Irish this morning I will stop here, only begging you to believe that I really know my own meaning when I subscribe myself
Ever affectionately & faithfully yours
Eleanor Anne Porden.
I hope you will find your sister better than you expect. A journey either by sea or land is often beneficial to Invalids even when one think them scarce strong enough to bear it. |