TALBOT4207

Lacock Abbey
Thursday.

My dear Henry

I am very sorry that you found Horatia ¹ so unwell – but these Influenzas are really serious complaints, – & reduce the strength so suddenly! – It is very unfortunate that D^r Ferguson ² should happen to have it at the same time. – I hope you will soon be able to send me a better account – & I also hope to hear that the others of the family have escaped – Above all, do not catch it yourself, for it would not be worth while as you only mean to stay a week in London.

It has really been quite Summer weather since you left us & reminds me of last Spring, only it is about a month earlier –

We had a lovely day Tuesday for our drive to Bath, & the children ³ behaved as well & were as happy as possible all the time – Their Great uncle & Aunt ⁴ were very kind to them, & especially admired Matilda ⁵ whom they had never seen before. – My Aunt looked very pale & weak, but was cheerful & extremely pleased by our going over to see her. – And it gave me also great pleasure to see such kind friends again, after an interval of three years –

I had a letter yesterday from Mina ⁶ to express her thanks for & her admiration of the Photographics. She says in conclusion – “We have talked much of the railroad that leads your way, & you must not be surprised to see us arrive some day – we should so like to see your home & your dear children, to say nothing of yourselves” – I have written in reply that their coming would please us well, but that I hoped to have notice enough to prepare their beds, as of course they w^d not think of passing by without stopping. – If you like to call on M^rs Chambers, ⁷ she is at 19. Park Street. – I am going to write a description of the ladys maid I saw yesterday & enclose it with this – that you may judge of the proper moment to give it to Horatia, if she is well enough to be troubled with such matters.

Your affectionate
Constance