From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [c. 25 October 1877]

My dearest. Hen—

It is rather disappointing that you must put off your return— I can't believe there will be any need of your going to London if D^r Moore meets Mr Hughes here & sets him a going & so Fr thinks— W^m set up a back drawing room (Fr's room) on Tuesday— I w^d have done it before but doubted whether she wd like the fuss—but they shall have it on Sat & Sunday when he returns. They went off together to London early *P [symbol for yesterday] *Q & she returned pretty tired at 4^.^12— Her uncle is a v. shy man & m. alarmed at coming here; but means to do the deed on Sunday p.m. & return after dinner. His daughter has engaged herself to an American w. is a great grief to him. W^m thinks there is something not comf. about the wife, for him to be in such despair at losing a daughter of 30— He says if he hears it is settled he cannot come here. W^m looks a different man & is v. full of all his schemes (Brougham, horse, wardrobe &c (from Collinson & Locke)

By the way how wd a sealskin jacket do for 1 of the brothers? I don't believe she is at all luxurious about her dress— He says she has sometimes great depression which one cannot wonder at. Horace went to London *P [symbol for yesterday] *Q something about a copper rod for the worm thermometer or clock, & also to buy a watch for Mrs Hughes who is soon going home, & for a lone woman a watch is a gt comfort. I have increased her allowance too, so she will go back prosperous. I had a card from Hensleigh yesterday written on