Then we came on here, and, do you know, "The Birth of Venus" nearly made me cry when I first saw it, it's so beautiful. I shall never forget that it was you who introduced me to it, so to speak.
Oh, there's just one other thing I wanted to tell you. Before we came away we gave a little farewell dinner to one or two of our most intimate friends. It came out of the travelling money; and I do feel you ought to have been asked too, when you were really our host. But you see I don't know you _very_ well (except through your actions), and I thought that just possibly you might have felt a little out of it. But I want you very much to come and dine with us one night when we are home again. I think it is time we knew each other ever so much better.
Well, no more now as we are off to lunch. (How ridiculously cheap food is in Italy, isn't it?) We shall be home in three weeks, I expect. I wish we could stay longer, especially as it's really cheaper to stay here than to come home, now we _are_ here. But we mustn't put too much strain on your hospitality.
Yours always gratefully, Isabel Merrison.
[Illustration: Tory Die-Hard. "DOWN WITH HOME RULE!"
John Bull. "THIS SORT OF THING MAY AMUSE YOU, GENTLEMEN, BUT I'VE NO USE FOR IT. I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE CIVIL WAR TO PLEASE EITHER OF YOU!"]
_Our very busiest Society Portrait Painter (who has rushed back to his studio after a luncheon in Park Lane)._ "I'm late, Mrs. Faulkner. Anybody come?"
_Studio Caretaker._ "Yes, Sir. I've already shown a lady up to the dressing-room."
_Portrait Painter._ "Is it the Countess of West Middlesex or Lady Vera Valtravers?"
_Studio Caretaker._ "I'm sure I can't say, Sir. They're that covered up with powder and paint I can't tell one from t'other."]
[In an article on Animal Training it has been stated that "wolves are so stupid it is a waste of time trying to do anything with them," and that "it is a wonderful tribute to the trainer's skill that he has succeeded in evolving so faithful a companion as the dog from this unpromising material."]
Full many a time when I've been overwrought, And all has seemed beset by doubts and fogs, I have gleaned ample comfort from the thought, "Nature is kindly; she has given us dogs To share our griefs with sympathetic eyes And force us out for healthy exercise."