I have all the newspapers about the ball for you, but I will wait till after Thursday and then send them on in a package. I want to see what _Town Topics_ will say. Nobody cares, of course, only you don't like to see horrid things about you in print. Sometimes it treats me very well, and it's devoted to Helen, but once in a while it's atrocious. I'm only a little worried about Lord ----. I don't want it to say I am after him for Helen, because I am _not_! If the English papers have anything in, please send them over--I know some articles are going to be written. If there are any of them absurd and extravagant accounts, of course you will take pains to contradict them. The English press seems often determined to make American society ridiculous. Will says we will be greatly indebted to your husband if he will get us a house for the season, as you proposed. Carleton House Terrace, if possible; if not, use your own judgment, only not Grosvenor Square--they make too much fun of strangers who go there. I hope you are well and taking some sort of care of yourself, which you know you never do. And please, if you go to Paris at Easter, be sure to write us at once if sleeves are still growing smaller, if hats are big or little, and whether it's feathers or flowers, or both. Also, of course, anything else that will help us. And don't forget to find out all you can about Lord ----. And do you advise announcing the engagement before her presentation, or afterward? And by no means say a word to anybody, as he hasn't proposed yet. By the way, Will is violently opposed to it. But I think Helen and I together will be too much for him, and if absolutely necessary _my health_ can give out! That had to happen, you remember, before I could get him out of 15th street and up here. My love to the Hon. Bertha. How is the dear child? I long to see you. Say what you like, this society life isn't altogether satisfactory. I think after Helen is happily married--to whomever it is--I shall drift quietly out of it, and gradually take to playing Joan to Will's Darby. I'm sure Will would _love_ it. Love to you both, and a heart full to yourself, Tina, dearest. Your affectionate old sister, MARY. P.S.--Don't laugh at what I said about a society life. Of course I don't mean it. I don't believe I could live without it now. I'm tired after the ball, that's all. To tell the truth I don't quite know where my head is. I shall take two phoenacetine powders right away. Do you know about them; they're so good. Did I ask you if you went to Paris Easter to be sure and write me if sleeves---- O yes, I remember, I did. III _From Miss Makeway to Miss Blanche Matheson in Rome._ Thursday. My darling Blanche: