TALBOT308

Lacock Abbey
May 7^th

I am looking forwards to seeing you tomorrow, dear Henry, according to the hope you gave me in your last letter. You will have thought me very silent – but I have had so little leisure with my company that I could not once take up my pen – My Aunts came on Monday & are gone home today – and I am rejoiced to say that they appeared very happy & comfortable – and I was equally happy with them. We drove to Bowood ¹ one day, & admired the flowers & the grounds – And yesterday I & my Aunt Saunders went to Bath & sauntered about her old haunts of 21 years back. We called on Caroline, ² lunched with her and she walked with us afterwards. – and she won my Aunt’s heart most completely – With Horatia ³ they were both delighted – and for the acquisition of her company we are indebted to Miss Gallway, ⁴ who arrived on Tuesday – when I was alone with my Aunts – M^lle A. ⁵ having gone to Bath for a day – The letter which should have prepared us for her arrival only came that same morning and lay unopened on the table, Horatia being absent – We wrote to her by the post & she came next day about 2 o’clock – and today she & Miss Gallway are gone together to visit Caroline & mean to come back tomorrow. –

The bricks are all ready for the greenhouse – Wilkins ⁶ is delighted with the thoughts of it –

I am told that Caroline & all the family are positively going up on Monday – but that Lord M^t E. ⁷ is to remain for the baths – and I am also told that Caroline wishes you to enjoy yourself in Mansfield St. as long as it suits you before Lord M^t E. is ready. But I hoe you will come down for a bit, first –

The weather is pleasanter & milder now –

Your affectionate
Constance.