A happy home.

Friday, Oct. 8.-I set off with my dear father for Chesington, where we passed five days very comfortably ; my father was all good humour, all himself,—­such as you and I mean by that

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word.  The next day we had the blessing of your Dover letter(180) and on Thursday, Oct.:14, I arrived at dear Norbury Park ’at about seven o’clock, after a pleasant ride in the dark.  Locke most kindly and cordially welcomed me; he came out upon the steps to receive me, and his beloved Fredy(181) waited for me in the vestibule.  Oh, with what tenderness did she take me to her bosom!  I felt melted with her kindness, but I could not express a joy like hers, for my heart was very fullfull of my dearest Susan, whose image seemed before me upon the spot where we had so lately been together.  They told me that Madame de la Fite, her daughter, and Mr. Hinde, were in the house; but as I am now, I hope, come for a long time, I did not vex at hearing this.  Their first inquiries were if I had not heard from Boulogne.(182)

Saturday.-I fully expected a letter, but none came; but Sunday I depended upon one.  The post, however, did not arrive before we went to church.  Madame de la Fite, seeing my sorrowful looks, good naturedly asked Mrs. Locke what could be set about to divert a little la pauvre Mademoiselle Beurney? and proposed reading a drama of Madame de Genlis.  I approved it much, preferring it greatly to conversation and accordingly, she and her daughter, each taking characters to themselves, read “La Rosire de Salency.”  It is a very interesting and touchingly simple little drama.  I was so much pleased that they afterwards regularly read one every evening while they stayed.

Next morning I went up stairs as usual, to treat myself with a solo of impatience for the post, and at about twelve o’clock I heard Mrs. Locke stepping along the passage.  I was sure of good news, for I knew, if there was bad, poor Mr. Locke would have brought it.  She came in, with three letters in her hand, and three thousand dimples in her cheeks and chin!  Oh, my dear Susy, what a sight to me was your hand !  I hardly cared for the letter; I hardly desired to open it ; the direction alone almost satisfied me sufficiently.  How did Mrs. Locke embrace me!  I half kissed her to death.  O Then came dear Mr. Locke, his eyes brighter than ever—­“Well, how does she do?”

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This question forced me to open my letter; all was just as I could wish, except that I regretted the having written the day before such a lamentation.  I was so congratulated!  I shook hands with Mr. Locke; the two dear little girls came jumping to wish me joy and Mrs. Locke ordered a fiddler, that they might have a dance in the evening, which had been promised them from the time of Mademoiselle de la Fite’s arrival, but postponed from day to day, by general desire, on account of my uneasiness.