I have also taken advantage of this time to go through Lesage's historical Atlas again; and I cannot say that during my whole illness I ever felt a moment's ennui. Indeed the perfect repose and passionless calm of such a period refreshes my soul. My body will soon be restored also; and then, as soon as the sky clears a little, I think to return once more to the haunts of men. A----,[81] to whom I sent your letter, desires her best love to you. From her great intimacy with the future Queen, she is treated quite like a 'Princesse du Sang.' She begins to feel her own importance a little; her former shy, timid 'tournure' is altered much to her advantage, and she has learnt to assume a certain air without losing her affability. The sun of fortune and favour changes a human being, as the sun of heaven does a plant which faded in darkness, and now raises its drooping head in his bright beams, and penetrated by the genial warmth opens fragrant blossoms to the light. We, dear Julia, still lie in the cellar, like hyacinth roots; but the gardener can place us in a more favourable soil and brighter sun in the spring--if it please him. _Feb. 20th._ I have been out--and behind every thing is become strange wherever I went. My acquaintances were almost all gone, and in the houses and promenades new faces met me. The bare country alone I found in its former state, except that the green fields were manured--with oystershells. Miss ----, a not very young, but rich and 'agreeable' lady, told me that the papers here had spoken of me as lying at the point of death, while the London 'Morning Post' introduced me as dancing at Almack's, which certainly looks rather spectral. This good-natured Miss ---- is still full of acknowledgments for a ticket I once got her for Almack's, and played and sang her thanks to me rather more than the weak state of my nerves could bear. I took my leave, but soon fell into the hands of two other Philomels who are also belated here. As soon as my strength is quite restored I shall return to London, and can now, with a good conscience, and without fear of causing you anxiety, despatch this long letter. The short meaning of many words is ever the same--the hearty love of Your L----. LETTER XXII. _London, Feb. 28th, 1828._