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Hadn't she told me it would be so? hadn't she forseen it all? (So she had for about a week.)" And then this idea of his coming out again when he hadn't been home for five years, + his Mothers business affairs were in such an unsettled state! Of course he was coming out to see me, there was no doubt about it, Mrs Little had said she should go to Rome _ Nice for the Winter, + Mr Little has already spent four Winters in Nice, + hates it accordingly. What other reason could there be for his going there? And then the idea of infant of my age, only seventeen, having such performances! And so she went till I was perfectly exhausted. Saturday, August 19th I have not been to see Mrs Little since before Mr Little came, nearly four weeks, + as I used to go every two days, my absence is too marked not to be speculated upon, + of course she is furious. I hate to make her angry, but it is the only way in which I can let her see that if her son is coming over on my account, he had much better stay in America. Indeed she ought to be very much obliged to me, for of course I might pretend I knew nothing about it, act just as usual, + have the pleasure + satisfaction of his being devoted to me all next Winter. But it worries me so; He is such a splendid fellow, + we have been such good friends, + I admire + esteem him so much, + I was so sure that he was so constitutionally indifferent to girls, + that with him at least I might have a solid friendship, without any sentiment just as if we were two men: + now to have it all spoiled. I dont believe that the young men now a days really care much about any one, but with him it is different for he never has had even the most passing fancy for any one, + after all he is twenty-four years old + not a baby. And I should feel awfully if he should get to care about me really. I have never snubbed him, because he has never given me a chance, + until that letter came, I never dreamt or believed that there was anything on his side.