Aside — The Canker GnawingFrom Margaret Gardiner to Elizabeth Darcy
Gracechurch Street, Aug. 26
My dear Niece,
I am delighted to hear from you, dear Lizzy. Yes, you do seem to have been rather distracted of late, and I simply cannot think of a reason why, myself.
In truth, I should not have anticipated a letter from you until the snows fall there in green Derbyshire. I expected you to be utterly lost in daily (and hourly) experimentation with your beautiful, attentive husband.
Were he not here in London, I should have cause to worry indeed that you have answered my letter so soon!
I shall not make this letter long, since I know that you had much rather be pining for the husband that our City has stolen from you.
I am glad too that you found some of my suggestions helpful. I know tha
