TALBOT2931

Dearest Henry

There are various ways of corresponding with absent friends, & I assure you I was much pleased with the one you adopted yesterday. – I have placed all the flowers so carefully named by you, between the leaves of a book & mean to keep them as a souvenir of your affection. –

I conclude I am not to expect you this evening as you have not given me notice. – should you happen to come tomorrow however, you will find me flown away, which I shall be very sorry for – but there is no help for it, because they have some people dining with them in Queen Anne St, ¹ whom they insist upon my meeting. – James too will be absent, because I have promised his assistance, in lieu of their usual waiter who is engaged. – I know you will not want him the moment you arrive as you will have Edward ² with you. – & the Page will I have no doubt exert himself to please you. –

I fear your friend M^r Babbage ³ has no chance for Finsbury. ⁴ –

Ask Horatia ⁵ if it is not almost time to visit Mr Hogg’s ⁶ carnations. – You seem to have some very pretty ones at Lacock from the specimens sent, & the Roses must be at their greatest perfection. –

Y^r affectionate

Constance

Tuesday July 1^st