File:Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries- Volume 8, page 208, July 17-19, 1857.jpg

Transcription:

that she [Nina Brooks] hasn’t written unkindly &c. In fact the letter is a polite intimation of "If you want me as Mrs Leslie, come up to the scratch, and don’t stand shilly-shally. I want to know how we stand!" To which [William] Leslie, after two hours cogitation, wrote an answer beginning "Esteemed Friend," professing profound respect for her, saying the obligations &c were all on his side &c, telling her "circumstances had occurred to prevent" his visit, and in fine civilly implying that he preferred respecting her in any or every other capacity than that of Mrs Leslie.

Now the girl is good and amiable, but I don't think there’ll be any heart-breaking ensue. In fact her delicate physique and youthful appearance (she’s over 20) combined with her simplicit of aspect and demeanour have quietly sold folks a little. Her mother [Maria Brooks], too, is a very up-to-snuff old lady. I know she set Miss Cornelia on Leslie. She'd tell her to go into the front parlor after him — nodding and beckoning! Leslie says the other girl [Bella Farr] whose portrait he's got, and whom he wrote an idiotic letter to, will have $30,000!! There’s half the key to his conduct.

It wasn't Dick Bolton who called, two weeks back, only a young fellow from Montreal who knew him.

The Jewells are in the country, somewhere.

18. Saturday. Trying to write. Got a letter, from Hannah [Bennett] — the which I was beginning to ache for. Down town in the afternoon, to Spruce Street and elsewhere. To [Frank] Bellew's at night.

19. Sunday. In doors all day. Extremely weary