TALBOT5600

½ past 4 o’clock
Tuesday 10 March
London

My Dear Constance

My dear mother ¹ is worse today and is gradually sinking ² – she does not suffer pain, except a little at times, but frequent oppression and uneasiness – My sisters ³ kept up their spirits with hope until last night – Lady Lansdowne ⁴ has been here all the day like a comforting angel as she is –

Yesterday as it happened that some friends were to dine with Lord L. ⁵ my aunt feeling quite unequal to it, came and dined with us instead, as if she had been a third sister and a most affectionate one –

I think you should tell the children ⁶ of the illness of their poor dear grandmamma

We are all in this house in a miserable state as you may well conceive. I fear a little for Horatia’s health in consequence of long watching & that she will not take sufficient food

Your aff^te
Henry

I am afraid dear Rosamond’s birthday ⁷ will be clouded but you must give her many kind words from me, & tell her I had thought of her and prepared a little present for her which I will give her some other day.

I have just been talking with Aunt Matilda ⁸ who called here about three o’clock – she enquired after you and the children so very kindly you cannot think and said many most kind and comforting things. She is herself at this moment unusually well and her memory seems to me to have recovered itself – I think she has a particular attachment to you, she spoke so very warmly –

I find you did receive my letter ⁹ posted at Kensington on the Sunday, but seem not to have received that sent by the morning mail on Monday, though expressly recommended to the postmistress –