From Emma Darwin   [22–3 April 1851]

My dearest

Your 2 letters of Monday are certainly better. Poor sweet little thing! I felt more wretched today than any day, but now I do think looking at the accounts of the last 4 days that there has been progressive improvement from that time. Poor dear Catherines letter is most kind but I think dear Susan will be so melancholy without her I almost hope you have not accepted.¹ I feel greatly relieved at the bowels acting. I shall write a few lines in the afternoon but I always feel bewildered at first but my impression is considerably better. Eliz. comes today dear soul.

Goodbye I am quite well. I will ask her to get up chloroform² but I don’t expect to want it till the right time.

God bless you E. D.

Wednesday. | I forgot to put Malvern on this yesterday so it came back, but I hope you wd not be uneasy.

Eliz is come.