TALBOT6268

Lacock Abbey
Friday Oct. 19^th

My dear Henry

It was quite wrong of me I know, not to write & tell you that Horatia ¹ had arrived safe Tuesday night – & that she came alone – I rather fancied that you might meet our Cousin of Margam in London who I would have told you that Horatia & he never met on the day in question (Tuesday) – therefore she could make no report of him & concluded that he had missed the train – As you were not at home I felt quite as well pleased that he did not come – and I am also glad that you did not put off your journey to London on the chance of him coming – hoping always that the railway did not make your cold worse – please why did you not mention it? – Horatia coughed a good deal when she arrived that evening – but much less since & today she appears nearly well – indeed it is weather mild enough to cure anybody. – Splendid travelling weather! – Your letter ² this morning gave me the greatest pleasure, for my mind was quite made up to wish that this Pau scheme could be carried into effect I was afraid it would interfere with your interests in the Patent line – You will therefore believe that I am very pleased – M^lle A ³ is equally so – for many reasons wh she entertains in common with myself.

I have communicated your letter to Horatia & told her that I now consider the thing decided – and she stands no difficulties – but I leave it to you to arrange with her those points concerning her share of the business – I have consulted her about servants &c – but will say nothing to the Housekeeper till you come – afterwards I shall feel anxious to lose as little time as possible in getting ready.–

Caroline ⁴ will not come to us on Monday – Aunt Louisa ⁵ (whom I saw just after you drove away Tuesday) told me she must have her at Bowood, particularly as it was her last chance perhaps before C's going abroad. Horatia is going to meet her at Bowood & any of us who wish to consult with her on the Pau scheme must drive over on Tuesday morng before she starts for Windsor – Now that you have settled, there will be some advantage in talking with her about their Doctor & also about houses –

Lady Lansdowne told me Lord M^t E. ⁶ was coming to Bath while Caroline & Flora ⁷ are at Windsor – The latter went to her waiting yesterday. I drove to Sloperton yesterday – it was a charming day.

If you can spare Jones ⁸ before you start tomorrow, I shall be glad if you will send him to Guerlain perfumer, Regent Street to buy for me a bottle of Eau Athenienne. I have not the number – but I believe it is on the same side the Street as the Talbotype Establishment & farther removed from the Quadrant –

Y^r affectionate
Constance