When Miss Planta, went off for her exercise, he again proposed a
little reading, which again I thankfully accepted. He took out
the little poem, and read on the mournful tale of Anna, with a
sensibility that gave pathos to every word.

How unexpected an indulgence--a luxury, I may say, to me, are
these evenings now becoming! While I listen to such reading and
such a reader, all my work goes on with an alacrity that renders
it all pleasure to me. I have had no regale like this for many
and many a grievous long evening ! never since I left Norbury
park,-never since my dear Fredy there read Madame de S6vign6.
And how little could I expect, in a royal residence, a relief of
this sort! Indeed, I much question if there is one other person,
in the whole establishment, that, in an equal degree, could
afford it. Miss Planta, though extremely friendly, is almost
wholly absorbed in the cares of her royal duties, and the
solicitude

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of her ill-health : she takes little interest in anything else,
whether for conversation or action. We do together perfectly
well, for she is good, and sensible, and prudent, and ready for
any kind office: but the powers of giving pleasure are not widely
bestowed: we have no right to repine that they are wanting where
the character that misses them has intrinsic worth but, also, we
have no remedy against weariness, where that worth is united with
nothing attractive.