Autograph letter signed : Denmark Hill, to Effie Gray, 1848 Mar. 2.

Excerpt published, p. 93. Now that she is in Edinburgh, she must be careful not to say when he is coming. Whether or not they can get abroad he cannot guess: it is almost beyond hope that Lombardy will remain quiet and that war between France and Austria be avoided. [Excerpt p. 93]. Were they to marry within a fortnight, they could probably reach Savoy before hostilities began, and there they would be safe. But it is probably best to regard even the less imperative rules of their church. If peace should last until April, his father could leave business and they could make a dash for the Alps. It may be ten years before they can get abroad again. Will they then be as cheerful as now, or, if so, will she not care more about home than about snow-topped mountains? She was a dear creature to take his apparent unkindness about her flowers so quietly. Her letters make him believe that she has entire trust in his love and that it would take a good deal to make her doubt it. Does she read Dombey? The last number has a good description of a French road and French driving, and "some very sweet little love passages" which make him feel acutely the 400 miles between them. Don't write from Edinburgh. He fears for her and it makes him jealous to think of her being with anybody.