Chapter IX: Miranda Hope to Her Mother

_October_ 22.

DEAR MOTHER,

I’m off in a day or two to visit some new country; I haven’t yet decided which. I’ve satisfied myself with regard to France, and obtained a good knowledge of the language. I’ve enjoyed my visit to Madame de Maisonrouge deeply, and feel as if I were leaving a circle of real friends. Everything has gone on beautifully up to the end, and every one has been as kind and attentive as if I were their own sister, especially Mr. Verdier, the French gentleman, from whom I have gained more than I ever expected (in six weeks) and with whom I have promised to _correspond_. So you can imagine me dashing off the liveliest and yet the most elegant French letters; and if you don’t believe in them I’ll keep the rough drafts to show you when I go back.

The German gentleman is also more interesting the more you know him; it seems sometimes as if I could fairly drink in his ideas. I’ve found out why the young lady from New York doesn’t like me! It’s because I said one day at dinner that I _admired_ to go to the Louvre. Well, when I first came it seemed as if I _did_ admire everything! Tell William Platt his letter has come. I knew he’d have to write, and I was bound I’d make him! I haven’t decided what country I’ll visit next; it seems as if there were so many to choose from. But I must take care to pick out a good one and to meet plenty of fresh experiences. Dearest mother, my money holds out, and it is most interesting!

THE POINT OF VIEW