TALBOT3524

Lacock Abbey
Thursday June 22

My dear Henry

You will perhaps be expecting to hear from me by this time – & to know that all goes on well with us – Your silence this morning I interpret favourably – & such will be my conclusion whenever I do not hear from you – I hope however you will write as frequently as you possibly can to relieve my anxiety – for my thoughts are ever with you & with dear Lady Elisabeth ¹ & Horatia. ² Oh how much I have felt for them! – You may imagine what a melancholy day I passed on Monday after reading those two letters which came to urge your immediate departure. – The first (Ma^lle Amélina’s) ³ was put into my hands between five & six o’clock in the morning & was sufficient to banish every ray of hope from my mind. – the other arrived by the post – How thankful I was to have my fears relieved by your’s the next morning & again yesterday! – All our neighbours have been very anxious in their enquiries. – Yesterday I had a visit from M^r Paley ⁴ & also from M^rs & Miss Awdry who came in about one minute afterwards – After lamenting your absence, I was obliged to do the honours of the garden to them, not omitting your favourite plants in the Greenhouse. – M^r Paley seemed almost as much pleased as the Ladies were – & all joined in extolling the beauty of our Lupins – The children also came in for their share of attention – Afterwards I had Miss Emily Ford ⁵ whom I never saw before, & who declared herself much pleased to have at last made my acquaintance.

You cannot think how pleasant the weather has been here the last few days – & the Roses & other flowers are coming on so fast it is quite charming to see them. – I saw all the Cape Bulbs planted on [illegible] – & I intend sowing some of the Seeds to day, I mean those which you gave me on Sunday. – Do you approve of my giving Ela’s ⁶ tame Rabbits to M^rs Sloane of the Red Lion? ⁷ – she has expressed a wish to have them. – In that case what shall I do with their dwelling for I understand that M^rs Sloane has plenty of Chicken frames & therefore cannot want it. –

I have at last consented to have Baby ⁸ fed at night – we have tried it now three times & it seems to agree perfectly with her – No child can thrive better than she does now – I am only rather afraid that she will grow too fat. – Ela has cut one of her Eye teeth – with one restless night – but she does not appear tormented, though still looking a little pale –

I hope you will find time to call on my Sisters ⁹ some day & see how they are prospering – I suppose they will be flitting some time next week –

Ever dear Henry Your affec^te
Constance

Where is Caroline ¹⁰ now? – is she gone up to London? –

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
31. Sackville Street
London