Feel my kiss on the dear hand, dear, dear friend. A previous letter of yours pained me much because I seemed to have given you the painful trouble in it of describing your state, your weakness. Ah, I _knew_ what that state was, and it was _therefore_ that the slip of paper which came with 'Atherton' seemed to me so ominous! By the way, I shall see 'Atherton' before long, I dare say. The 'German Library' in our street is to have a 'box of new books' almost directly, and in it surely must be 'Atherton,' and you shall hear my thoughts of the book as soon as I catch sight of it. Then you have sent me the Dramas. Thank you, thank you; they will be precious. I saw the article in the 'Athenæum' with joy and triumph, and knew Mr. Chorley by the 'Roman hand.' In the 'Illustrated News' also, Robert (not I) read an enthusiastic notice. He fell upon it at the reading-room where I never go on account of my _she_-dom, women in Florence being supposed not-- (_Part of this letter is missing_) Think of me who am far, yet near in love and thought. Love me with that strong heart of yours. May God bless it, bless it! I am ever your attached E.B.B., rather BA. I have had a sad letter from poor Haydon's daughter. She has fifty-six pounds a year, and can scarcely live on it in England, and inquires if she could live in any family in Florence. I fear to recommend her to come so far on such means. Robert's love. _May God bless you and keep you! Love me._ * * * * * _To Miss Mitford_ Florence: October 19, 1854.