TALBOT6459

Grasmere
Saturday Aug 23^d

My dear Henry

you have given great pleasure to us all by so readily agreeing to prolong our term here - Six weeks was just what our wishes had whispered, as the desirable extension of our stay. - And I am glad to see that you were not vexed by my writing to you about it, and that you were so very good as to do the best thing by writing yourself to M^r Coppock. - I have this moment received his answer accepting your offer. - So it is all settled - and the sun is brightly shining from the watery clouds which have hitherto obscured our sky today - thus seeming to sanction & ratify the agreement.

I am glad on the whole that you agreed to go down to Lacock, and that all those painful arrangements with M^r Gaisford ^<1> will at once be made - and that there will be a perfect understanding about the objects of which he desires to take possession - I also hope that he will take away now all that he means to touch. - I received a most letter from him yesterday, explaining the reasons of his being at Lacock - alone - & as it were, without permission - and stating most handsomely that he should scrupulously fulfill dear Horatia's intentions of leaving many things as they have ever been, at Lacock Abbey. It is a right feeling, & what I sh^d have expected of him. - I only hope all will be perfectly understood & no change to be made hereafter. I wish you had got through your painful task - but it would have been worse, the longer it was postponed. - How did Caroline leave the poor child, & what do they mean to do with it?. Will not C. give up the charge to M^r Gaisford's mother? - I hope you will say something kind to M^r Matthews, if you have the opportunity - he wrote me such a warm letter of sympathy, & was evidently much moved. -

Ela has had a bad swelled face, from the damp weather, but she is sitting up today & getting her natural face. -

Your affectionate
Constance.