TALBOT5244

Monday May 5. –

My dear Henry

I have received your two letters ¹ and we are looking forwards with pleasure to your coming home on Wednesday – The children are rather sorry not to have you tomorrow for the Eclipse – I have smoked a piece of glass – but not perfectly as I had no varnish – and I have found the colored glasses in your drawer – so we are fully prepared & only hoping for a clear sky tomorrow – but the clouds are gathering heavily this evening which looks unpromising – We found the weather today fine enough to undertake a drive to Bowood in the Pony carriage – Ela Rosamond ² & I – but the wind blew very cold & we were rather chilled coming home – Lady Lansdowne ³ had just been out round the house – sauntering from one seat to another – and while I was with her she reposed on the Sofa – She does not seem to be much better yet –

Lady Louisa ⁴ looked very well – Lady Lansdowne enquired what chance I had of engaging a governess – & I mentioned Lady Adare’s ⁵ – She does not think 80 guineas unreasonably high – where so much is taught as that one professes – Therefore let us not hastily reject her – as all Lady Elisabeth ⁶ wrote of her seemed so desirable –

Thanks for remembering the pale ale – it is safely arrived –

Your affectionate
Constance. –