I poked again and said , `` A little faster , '' then off he went , helter-skelter as before , and we resigned ourselves to our fate . Today was fair , and we went to Hyde Park , close by , for we are more aristocratic than we look . The Duke of Devonshire lives near . I often see his footmen lounging at the back gate , and the Duke of Wellington 's house is not far off . Such sights as I saw , my dear ! It was as good as Punch , for there were fat dowagers rolling about in their red and yellow coaches , with gorgeous Jeameses in silk stockings and velvet coats , up behind , and powdered coachmen in front . Smart maids , with the rosiest children I ever saw , handsome girls , looking half asleep , dandies in queer English hats and lavender kids lounging about , and tall soldiers , in short red jackets and muffin caps stuck on one side , looking so funny I longed to sketch them . Rotten Row means ` Route de Roi ' , or the king 's way , but now it 's more like a riding school than anything else . The horses are splendid , and the men , especially the grooms , ride well , but the women are stiff , and bounce , which is n't according to our rules . I longed to show them a tearing American gallop , for they trotted solemnly up and down , in their scant habits and high hats , looking like the women in a toy Noah 's Ark. . Everyone rides -- old men , stout ladies , little children -- and the young folks do a deal of flirting here , I saw a pair exchange rose buds , for it 's the thing to wear one in the button-hole , and I thought it rather a nice little idea . In the P.M. to Westminster Abbey , but do n't expect me to describe it , that 's impossible , so I 'll only say it was sublime ! This evening we are going to see Fechter , which will be an appropriate end to the happiest day of my life . It 's very late , but I ca n't let my letter go in the morning without telling you what happened last evening . Who do you think came in , as we were at tea ? Laurie 's English friends , Fred and Frank Vaughn ! I was so surprised , for I should n't have known them but for the cards . Both are tall fellows with whiskers , Fred handsome in the English style , and Frank much better , for he only limps slightly , and uses no crutches . They had heard from Laurie where we were to be , and came to ask us to their house , but Uncle wo n't go , so we shall return the call , and see them as we can . They went to the theater with us , and we did have such a good time , for Frank devoted himself to Flo , and Fred and I talked over past , present , and future fun as if we had known each other all our days .
Tell Beth XXXXX asked for her , and was sorry to hear of her ill health .
Devonshire Flo Frank Jeameses Laurie Park Uncle dowagers evening muffin