Tilh 19th July 1800

Are you cross with me, my dear Sophie? I think not. I attribute your silence to those congratulatory visits you will have been obliged to receive and make after your brothers’ release.²

My last letter, I can only say, did not do justice to the great joy we feel about that, so accept now, wholesale and retail, our sincere felicitations and share them, I beg you, with your family.

Recently, while leafing through my music, I found such pretty love songs, the most popular just now, that it occurred to me you might like them. I immediately told our sweet little Tata, and she approved the idea, especially as we both felt you had the voice for them. I copied them at once and posted them. I hope, my dearest, they give you as much pleasure as I had in sending them. I am only peeved they are not better copied, but, in truth, I put the height of my skill into them. You will excuse my scrawl for the sake, at least, of my good intentions; I am counting very much on your indulgence.

Farewell, my dear Sophie. Remember the request I made in my previous. If you love me a little, you will urge your papa so strongly to favour it he will not know how to refuse, assure him if so of our perfect gratitude, and give him our respects.

Warm hugs to you and Fanny. Little Tata and the family send you lots of love. We talk of you often—as if it could be otherwise! How could one know Sophie without speaking and thinking fondly of her? That is impossible.

Farewell again. If the little cat I have near me was not hindering my writing—it has just sat on my paper—I would probably forget the promise I made to stop wearying you with my maundering. So, my dear, I am definitely about to leave, but not without one more most affectionate embrace.

Mimi.

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