Ah, thank you! I suspect my mother to be behind it; there would be no one keener. She is well-meaning, I confess, but something of a meddler. I’m sure you know how parents can be with their opinions!

I very much like your meaning of marriage - things are always better when you have a partner, that much is true - and though like anyone else I enjoy the idea of being in love, I have other pursuits in my life that require much dedication, travel, and attention, and I would not want those to detract from a marriage. I am passionate about the future and the importance of foretelling it, both in order to help people face it, and because I think that is the best way to change it. Mostly by means of divination, but astronomy certainly has its place in divination too, if you are ever inclined to use the stars for such things!

At any rate, I do not blame you for enjoying the social season, and I hope the rest of your first season lives up to your hopes, and that all your next ones are still better and brighter. I confess I am a newcomer to the British season myself, and am enjoying it too. I spent the Saturday last at the ball at the Sanditon, which was very good fun.

---