TALBOT5694

Oriel Lodge ¹
Wednesday

My dear Henry

I was delighted to receive your letter yesterday morning quite early as I was setting out to walk to the Old Mill. The weather has been so charming these three days that I still more regret your having been obliged to leave us – The children ² are a little languid, either in consequence of the hot weather, or else from the early walk to which they are unaccustomed – but I have no doubt they will enjoy going out in the cool this evening after their tea & be refreshed – I think we shall take a drive – Monday we went to Marle Hill ³ & walked about the garden, caressed the dogs slightly in the presence of the housekeeper, & gathered a few sweet flowers – There are not many things in the greenhouse the chief ornaments of it being some splendid tree Fuchsias – Yesterday morning my Aunts servant was so civil as to bring us 2 tickets of admission to the Montpellier flower show which my Aunt ⁴ had desired to be taken to a lady – which lady being absent, he thought of bringing them to me – We went to the exhibition & saw some pretty things – though in general they were much less fine than what I have seen elsewhere – Today having no particular object to take us out early we have remained quiet since breakfast – We will keep the early hours that you recommend – I sent 3 letters which arrived here by the day mail on Monday de on to Sackville St ⁵ by the London post that evening. I hope you received them – they were done up into one envelope.

I send you one today which is too large to be enclosed –

I hear from Wright ⁶ that Horatia ⁷ is better & talks of going to Bowood ⁸ on Monday –

Your affectionate
Constance