Now that I have exhausted myself with indignation and protestation, Robert has taken up the same note, which is a comfort.

I would rather hear my own heart in his voice.

Certainly it must be still more bitter for him than for me, seeing that he has more national predilections than I have, and has struggled longer to see differently.

Not only the prestige, but the very respectability of England is utterly lost here--and nothing less is expected than her ultimate and open siding with Austria in the war.

If she does, we shall wash our hands like so many Pilates, which will save us but not England.
We are intending to remain here as long as we can bear the heat, which is not just now too oppressive, though it threatens to be so.