From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [18 July 1887]

My dear William

I rather dislike causing Bessy Pearce to sell out part of her stock. I should be more inclined to begin at once allowing her £36 instead of £26, which I suppose would set her at ease with the £20 you sent her—

I should also say that if she becomes better off (as I conclude her sister will leave her all she has & she is older than B)— I should return to the £26. If you think your plan the best however I am quite willing to stick to that, but I should also in that case add the proviso, & do not take the trouble to consult me again, as I shall be quite content.

At C. likes our being here, but her state of suffering is very great— We go to Abinger on Wed— & on Thursday Bessy goes to Down to pack up for Switzerland— She joins Leonard & Bee whose friend Miss Curtis also accompanies her—

Hensleigh called on Sat & told us that Cecils engagemt to Miss Gibson is settled, & Hope who is very fond of her is quite happy—

The insanity of the mother was after a confinement wh. makes it not so bad, & the family turn out not quite so low— but imagine the disgust of Cecily & the Hawkshaws— The parents are both dead— Miss Gibson has lately been sec. to Caroline Stephen & Albert Dicey, who saw her there wondered that there sh^d be any objection to the marriage—(Thank my dear Sara for her letter—

yours my dear W. | E. D–

Leonard is v. happy doing O & eating much & Bessie is making progress