When the announcement was published, I invited just the family to a little informal dinner. They were _extravagant_ in their praise of Molly--Spenworth in his hyperbolical manner going so far as to tell her that she was "chucking herself away", as he elegantly put it, on some one who was not good enough for her. I should have thought it possible to pay a compliment without trying to be rude to as many other people as possible... To do Spenworth justice, he behaved liberally over the money, though he must needs be facetious and tell Will that he would pay twice the sum to _keep_ him out of England. Such humour is a little _primitive_... I acquit Brackenbury, too, of any illiberality, though Spenworth must needs call this a "thank-offering" ... for some reason... The marriage, of course, takes place immediately, as they sail the moment Sir Appleton can arrange about their passages. I am sure that it will be a success, though I prefer not to think about it; dearly as I love little Molly, she _is_ robbing me of my boy. As soon as they leave England, I shall go right away for a time. What with one thing and another, the last year has been very exhausting, and Arthur and I have to prepare for a new life and a very different life. The old and the new are bridged by one's friends... Their love follows us into what must inevitably be _retirement_ from the stage on which we have played our little part for our few years... We are abandoning any little _niche_ that we may have occupied... _You_ I hope to see constantly. At the ceremony, of course, and afterwards here... The princess is coming. Whoever appeals to _her_ graciousness and devotion will never appeal in vain... THE END PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON, E.C.4. F.80.1221