Now, _mon cher_, do you think you can, without inconvenience, engage me for a week an apartment--cheerful, light, and wholesome--containing a comfortable _salon et deux chambres à coucher_. I do not care whether it is an hotel or not, but the reason why I do not write for an apartment to the Hôtel Brighton is, that there they expect one to dine at home (I mean in the apartment) generally; whereas, as we are coming to Paris expressly to be always looking about us, we want to dine wherever we like every day. Consequently, what we want to find is a good apartment, where we can have our breakfast but where we shall never dine. Can you engage such accommodation for me? If you can, I shall feel very much obliged to you. If the apartment should happen to contain a little bed for a servant I might perhaps bring one, but I do not care about that at all. I want it to be pleasant and gay, and to throw myself _en garçon_ on the festive _diableries de Paris_. Mrs. Dickens and her sister send their kindest regards to Madame Regnier and you, in which I heartily join. All the children send their loves to the two brave boys and the Normandy _bonnes_. I shall hope for a short answer from you one day next week. My dear Regnier, Always faithfully yours. [Sidenote: Mr. W. H. Wills.] OFFICE OF "HOUSEHOLD WORDS," _Friday, Feb. 9th, 1855._ MY DEAR WILLS, I want to alter the arrangements for to-morrow, and put you to some inconvenience. When I was at Gravesend t'other day, I saw, at Gad's Hill--just opposite to the Hermitage, where Miss Lynn used to live--a little freehold to be sold. The spot and the very house are literally "a dream of my childhood," and I should like to look at it before I go to Paris. With that purpose I must go to Strood by the North Kent, at a quarter-past ten to-morrow morning, and I want you, strongly booted, to go with me! (I know the particulars from the agent.) Can you? Let me know. If you can, can you manage so that we can take the proofs with us? If you can't, will you bring them to Tavistock House at dinner time to-morrow, half-past five? Forster will dine with us, but no one else. I am uncertain of your being in town to-night, but I send John up with this. Ever faithfully. [Sidenote: Miss Hogarth.] HÔTEL MEURICE, PARIS, _Friday, Feb. 16th, 1855._ MY DEAR GEORGY,