TALBOT5223

Sunday April 6^th

My dear Henry

I am very sorry to hear that Horatia’s ¹ plans were so unsettled at the time of your writing yesterday. – And I am now prepared to hear that she withdraws from the party ² in consequence of this untoward postponement – I had a feeling all along that she was not going – I hope she will not be very much disappointed – for I thought she herself seemed to hesitate about it even when she knew that the Talbots ³ had decided – As you say I may please myself about staying another week at Clifton, ⁴ I conclude that you do not want me elsewhere – And therefore I will certainly stay on till you propose some different arrangement –

I cannot guess what could have required your presence at St Mary Axe – illegible deletion had the locality been more romantic I should have rejoiced in any inducement for a long walk –

You have puzzled us in regard to your writing paper – Surely you wrote yesterday on a sheet that had been varnished – but why write on such? –

The children ⁵ are extremely happy here – we spend most of our second walks in the Zoological gardens – A Fly generally sets us down there & twice we have managed to walk home from thence – but we find it necessary to be a little prudent not to over tire any of us – We saunter about & sit down on the Downs where the grass is short –

Your affectionate
Constance. –

I am very glad to hear of M^r Claudet’s ⁶ improvement. –