TALBOT3089

Cotehele House ¹
Calstock
Tavistock
Jan^y – 18^th 1874

My dear Henry

I was much grieved, a few days ago, at hearing of the sad termination of dear Jane’s ² illness.

Of course you have heard all about it long ago.

A letter from Theresa Nicholl ³ a very few days before, had prepared me for the worst – & then Florence Nicholl, Rice’s wife, wrote to tell me of the event.

It is a great mercy that she does not appear to have suffered any pain during all those months – & the end was quite peaceful. Tina ⁴ & Theresa have watched over her most tenderly ever since her first attack – & one of them was always with her day & night. Lucy ⁵ has been an additional anxiety to them – for she has been, & is still, very ill in her usual way – with terrible cough &c. – I think the best thing for them now, would be to go abroad – but I have not heard what they intend doing. – Rice is on the Gold Coast, with the Rifle Brigade. –

I hope you are all well at Bath? & that Charles ⁶ is better. He must be terribly dullified at Weymouth.

Let me have a line from you soon. Love to all

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline