TALBOT5570

Mount Edgcumbe ¹

Wednesday Feb^y 19^th 1846

My dear Henry

You must not expect me at Laycock Abbey this time, as I shall stay here till the last moment; so you had better send the Prince of Wales ² to Sackville S^{t 3} where I am going in the first instance – My Waiting begins the 24^th & on the 26^th there is a Drawingroom – which ensures being in London I conclude for two or three days – but after that there are rumours of Osborne House ⁴ – so you must let me have it in time to take with me. I am delighted it has succeeded so well – Have you not also done Princess Alice? ⁵

You did not say you were charmed with my list of flowers as I expected – But of course you were. Give my love to Constance ⁶ & thank her for her letter of family news – Would it was more satisfactory! Aunt Mary ⁷ wrote from Melbury ⁸ offering herself here on the 23^rd so unlucky! I was obliged to put her off & beg she w^d come after my Waiting instead. I have heard nothing of Mamma for some days –

y^r aff^te Sister

Caroline.