Lady Theodosia had a very short tweed skirt on, a black velvet jacket with bugles, and a boat-shaped hat and cocks’ feathers; but she always wears the black velvet band round her forehead.  Her ankles seemed to be falling over the tops of her boots, and as she only walked from the carriage to the lunch table, I don’t think her skirt need have been so short; do you, Mamma?  But although she was got up like an old gipsy you could not help seeing through it all that she really is well-bred; I don’t think even Agnes would dare to be uppish with her.  They live here at Retby all the year round.  The town house is only opened for three days, when Lady Theodosia comes up for the Drawing-room.  And they seem to have a lot of these rather dull, oldish men friends who make long visits.

Going home after lunch Lady Theodosia took several of the pies and joints to poor people in the cottages near, and she was so nice to them, and so friendly; she knows them all and all their affairs, and never makes mistakes with their names, or is rude and discourteous as she was to the people at the dinner party.  They all adore her.  She hates the middle classes, she says, she would like to live in Russia, where there are only the upper and lower.

[Sidenote:  Croquet under Difficulties]

When we got back, Lord and Lady Tyneville had arrived with their two daughters.  They are about my age, and quite nice and pretty; but their mother dresses them so queerly, they look rather guys.  I am glad, Mamma, that you have none of those silly ideas, and that I have not got to have my hair in a large bun with ribbons twisted in it for dinner.  They seem quite accustomed to stay here, and know all the dogs and their ways.  They are much nicer than French girls, but not so attractive as Miss La Touche.  We had an early tea in the hall, and after tea we played croquet until it got dark, though one could not get on very well as the dogs constantly carried off the balls in their mouths, and one had to guess where to put them back, and in that way Lady Theodosia, who was my partner, managed to get through three hoops she wouldn’t have otherwise.  It isn’t much fun playing so late in the year, as it gets so cold.

I think the elder Miss Everleigh is in love with Mr. Roper, because she blushed, just as they do in books, when he came in, and from being quiet and nice, got rather gigglish.  I hope I shan’t do that when I am in love.

We had quite a gay dinner; Lady Tyneville talks all the time, and says such funny things.

I am really enjoying myself very much in spite of there being no excitements, like the Marquis and the Vicomte.  To-day we are going to make an excursion into Hernminster to see the Cathedral, and to-morrow they shoot again.—­Good-bye, dear Mamma, with love from your affectionate daughter, Elizabeth.

RETBY, Thursday.