There they lived all the summer the life that they liked best.  They lost themselves in the forest, they read aloud, and they enjoyed the rustic theatre.  The autumn brought visits to Teplitz and Dresden.

They were back in Berlin for the winter and early spring, when she began to take more part in society.

    April 1, 1834, BERLIN

Stupid dinner of old gentlemen.  Mary still being rather silly[10] did not dine at table....  It was very awful to be alone, but at dinner I was happy enough as Loeven sat on one side of me.  Humboldt was on the other.  Afterwards came Fitz for a moment and Deken and Bismarck.

    April 5, 1834, BERLIN

    I sat the second quadrille by my stupidity in refusing Bismarck.

[10] Scotch for unwell.

Early in May came “the hateful morning of good-byes” to friends in Berlin, and at Marienbad.  Lord Minto heard the news that Lord Grey had resigned owing to Lord Althorp’s refusal to agree to the Irish Coercion Bill.  Lord Melbourne succeeded him as Prime Minister.  Lord Minto had not long returned to England when the King summarily dismissed Lord Melbourne and a provisional Government under the Duke of Wellington was patched together until Sir Robert Peel should return from abroad.  The governorship of Canada had been offered meanwhile to Lord Minto, and the family started on their home journey fearing they would have to leave England immediately for Quebec.  But this did not happen, and December found them at last once more on the road to Minto.  The girls wrote poems celebrating their return on the journey, and tried every cure for impatience as the carriage rolled along.

    MINTO, Thursday, December 25, 1834

We left Carlisle about eight, and for the three first stages were so slowly driven that our patience was nearly gone.  To make it last a little longer Mary read some “Hamlet” aloud between Longtown and Langholme, and I had a nap....  As soon as we entered Hawick we were surrounded by an immense crowd....  The bells rang, there were flags hung all along the street, and fine shouting as we set off.  Papa, which we did not know at the time, had to make a little speech, and contradict a shameful report of his having taken office.  A few minutes on this side of Hawick we met the two boys and Robert riding to meet us, looking lovely.  Our own country looked really beautiful; rocks, hills, and Rubers Law all seemed to have grown higher.  We passed the awful ford in safety across our own lovely Teviot, and soon found ourselves at Nelly’s Lodge, where old Nelly opened the gate to us....  The trees looked large and fine—­in short, everything perfect.  Catherine, Mrs. Fraser, and Wales received us at the door, and in a few minutes we were scattered all over the house.  We spent a most happy evening....  This has really been a happy Christmas.  It is wonderful to be here.

At this point Lady Fanny’s early girlhood may be said to end.  Her life in London society and the events which led to her marriage will be told in the next chapter.