TALBOT7829

Randolph Crescent

Tuesday March 15

My dear Henry

I thought that my despatches to you of last Wednesday (the 9^th) would have induced you to fix something positive about your return to Edinburgh – but your silence under these circumstances makes me fear you may be ill – I hold in my hand a letter which you wrote me exactly a month ago, (for it is dated February 15^th) in which you say “I think of returning to Edinburgh in a week or ten days” – an announcement which made our hearts rejoice at the time – and since which we have been daily on the look out for tidings of your approach – But you know the proverb about “Hope deferred making the Heart sick” – such I assure you we begin to realize this. Seriously, you are much wanted – but I do not like to say more than that I have a particular reason for wishing you to come in the course of the present week – Our time here is getting so very short – and the last fortnight of it will be useless for what I want you – I think it likely that tomorrow may bring a letter from you to Rosamond, – but as I cannot be sure that it will fix a day for coming, I will no longer delay writing to tell you that you are wanted. –

Rosamond has nearly shaken off the effects of her last indisposition – but it sadly retarded her general recovery, which was progressing satisfactorily, though slowly, till within the last ten days – She has not been able to resume her occasional walks – & now the East winds have set in she will be quite a prisoner to the house – Through all this trying time, she has felt far less depressed than she would have done in Athole Crescent or in any house which did not command a beautiful view – But our pleasant drawing rooms, and her own large bedroom at the top of the house, have helped her through everything – The hilly ranges are again capped with snow and the view today is very grand – We had a storm last night – but the sun is shining out brightly now at 1 o’clock –

Adieu dear Henry – Come soon – and believe me

your affectionate

Constance –

M^lle Amélina had a nice letter from Caroline today – from which they all appear pretty flourishing –