TALBOT4316

Monday July 26

My dear Henry

I think the travellers are lucky indeed to have such calm warm weather for sitting out! It was a piece of good fortune they could scarcely expect after the showery, cold, unsettled state of last week. – Did you not feel sorry to be left behind at the moment of bidding them adieu? – I cannot fancy anything more dismal or unnatural than Lady Elisabeth ¹ must feel herself without Horatia! ²– surely she will not be able to resist following her in a few weeks – Do you mean that I am really to expect Lady E. & to prepare for her on Thursday? – And what do you mean by coming yourself on Thursday when that is the very day that the British Association meet at Plymouth? Are you not going there after all? – I hope you have not given it up, especially as you would have been so comfortable at M^t Edgcumbe. ³

If you do not come tomorrow, I think I shall take the children ⁴ to Bowood ⁵ – as I promised them they should go once this Summer to visit M^rs Spencer & play about the grounds. – I brought 2 or 3 cuttings away last time & perhaps I may see something new tomorrow. – I had a visit from M^rs Long ⁶ on Saturday, – and as the house was tidy, I admitted her – Carey ⁷ has commenced the annual piece of roofing today. – I found on my return home that he had attended most punctually to your orders & exerted himself to get all finished as quick as possible. – I hope you have kept it a secret – as I want to surprise Lady Elisabeth –

Your affte
Constance