TALBOT4999

May/44 ¹

Lacock Abbey
Wednesday 22^d

My dear Henry

I have burnt the portrait of M^rs M, as you desired – feeling a pang all the time I was tearing it off its pretty mounting – We had a thoroughly damp day yesterday – a Scotch mist enough to wet one through – so that none of us left the house – not even Lady Elisabeth ² – Today has made us ample amends – and it was the more fortunate since Lady Mary ³ consented to stay – & put off a tea engagement at Bristol for this evening – Lady Elisabeth & Lady Mary have been out nearly all the morning & have lopped off sundry dead branches I believe – but I don’t know exactly which, as their work went on in the breezy part of the shrubbery & I chose the sunny & sheltered parts for my promenade & the childrens. ⁴

All the coughs and colds are troublesome – but certainly better today – Lady Mary prescribed Ipecacuanha powder for Charles & a confection of honey & vinegar for all of us – which I immediately prepared, as you bid me mind whatever she might say – We are so relieved by Horatia’s ⁵ account of dear little Charlie’s ⁶ improvement – & that she expects to have Caroline ⁷ with some degree of comfort tomorrow – I hope he will get over the attack the more easily from its being attended to in the first instance –

Lady Mary seemed so pleased to have picked you up on Sunday & carried you all about with her – I suppose she did you good as she reported that you seemed very well that day –

I am so glad you have arranged with Scheichelbaur ⁸ for I thought he might have dissented from the new plan.

Your affectionate
Constance

I forward a printed letter today. –