From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [12 May 1866]

My dearest Body

It is very nice to think we shall probably see you some day next week— Parslow seems quite ready for a trip to France as far as Calais or Boulogne if you like to meet him there in preference to this side the channel. W^m is very doubtful but I have given all the dates & told him that they are quite uncertain. I have had a very nice letter from Elinor in which she speaks so affectly of the comfort you have been to her. I shall write to her tomorrow & try to put her mind at ease as to your exped. having been a failure. We are engaged to fo to L. H. P. on the 29^th till the 2^nd. They go to London on the 4^th so they might possibly have us from the 31^st till the 4^th^ in case you were not arrived. I think we had better not put off even if you are not returned, but you join us there as we have had so many disapps about A^t C. & I always feel her life so uncertain. They have got [half page cut out] Miss [cut out]. M^rs B. C. read me Miss I's account of your exped with E. to la Tourette & it was fuller than yours. She is a very good describer. I am so glad you have had another sight of Mentone & Elinor seems to have done comfortably in her solitude. My reflections have been how well we have got on without [reverse of cut out page] Papa went to the QQQQnce of the big woods yesterday & to Hangrove the day before—

It was hard work for him to agree to L. H. P. We have heard of a pony. Goodbye my dearest E. D. I am very well mostly & think D^r. B. J. has done me good.

We are waiting to hear from you from Paris to settle about Parslow