TALBOT3984

Lacock Abbey
Thursday 5.

My dear Henry

I believe you expect me to return home on Saturday, & I hope you won’t forget to furnish me with the means of so doing. – otherwise I must wait your good pleasure where I now am. – Ten pounds was what Nicole ¹ wished to have, & I must ask for a little more I suppose to pay for the Silver Saucepan.– I imagine to Post tomorrow will bring me this necessary provision, & I almost fear for its safety, on account of this being the first day of the fourpenny postage.–

If you don’t send me any answer about the letter-weights, I shall bring you some of the Cheapest. –

I have been occupied almost the whole of this morning in looking at houses with Laura ² we found it rather a freezing pursuit – & not altogether satisfactory – but I hope we shall at last meet with one to suit them –for I am very anxious that they should remain in London till Laura’s eye is better. –

I think the ten o’clock train on Saturday will be the most convenient for me. –because it will enable us to breakfast at the usual hour (nine) & leave this at ½ past 9. – If you will have the kindness to calculate from this, the time of our probable arrival at Lacock & tell Bennett, ³ to have Ela’s ⁴ supper & bed quite ready, there is nothing more to say, unless you will take the trouble of ordering horses to meet us in the long stages. –Ela sends her love & is quite well – She is loaded with kisses from Aunt Matilda. ⁵ & pray tell the housemaid to keep a good fire in my bed room all the morning of Saturday –

Your Affte
Constance.

I have got a small parcel from Rodwell’s ⁶ for you, & I will send to Sackville St. ⁷ the last thing to know if there is anything to bring –

H.F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham