From W. E. Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [28 September 1877]

My dearest Hen,

All is right, the darling Sara has accepted me. I feel too blessed for words when I think of her trust the tremendous sacrifice she is making and her loving ways & great happiness I am quite overwhelmed, nothing I can do in this life can ever repay her. You dearest Hen & Richard will sympathise most deeply with us both.

The angel has done more for me, she felt if she now went home she would break down and she is going to stay & marry me now.

Write to her at S. Nix Esq^re Tilgate, Crawley, Sussex, but do not mention about her not going back as it is a terrible strain for her, and she does not yet know what they will say at home. They are all so happy here and she is so glad to feel they like it, Father I hear has written a letter to her that only he could write, and I must ask her to show it me. I only wrote to her this day week & it all seems a dream. M^r Ashburner is well pleased I think and I go up to dine & down in the evening.

This to be an absolute secret till she hears from America but she asks them to telegraph back.

Give my love to dear Jim I know he will feel for me.

It is such a happiness to feel you have kept up & that Richard is steadily gaining strength I hope this will act as a tonic & give you both a fillip

Goodbye dearest Hen | yours affect | W. E. D.

I am going to tell Eras. today in strictest confidence but it is very dangerous