TALBOT7857

Randolph Crescent

April 24^th

My dear Henry

I was glad to find from your letter received yesterday, that the possibility of our not being ready to move off to Greta Bank at the time agreed upon, had occurred to you – I hope therefore you would feel less annoyed by the change of plan than might otherwise have been the case – I judge also from the tone of your letter that you may probably postpone your journey form Lacock in consequence. – I may also as well acquaint you of the fact that M^r Clark will be absent from Edinburgh throughout the remainder of the present week – He starts tomorrow with his friend M^r Walker to attend his Wedding in Ireland, & will scarcely be back before Monday the 2^d May. as he is going to attend two meetings in Dumfries there at the end of the week – So should any business question arise in the mean time, it will have to be suspended till his return – I don’t like to ask him again what the lawyers are about: but from what he said when we were speaking of it after you left Edinburgh, I gathered that he did not expect the work of the Settlements to be completed under two months from the time of the Lawyers being setting about this it in good earnest – And when that moment is supposed to arrive I don’t know. – I think long Courtships have many objections, – so wish they would make haste. You will remember my request to bring the congratulatory letters with you? – The reason of your not hearing from M^r Gaisford is that he answered your letter by writing to Matilda herself – and sending a message to you – Tilly (poor Child!) has had so little time to herself lately that she hopes you will excuse her not have <sic> written immediately to give you his message – which is this “Please thank your Father for writing to me, I should have replied some days ago – but was away from home & only received his letter today.” (April 12^th) –

I am glad you reminded me that I had sent no message to Wilkins about the flowers & salads &c &c which Charles brought us. They came beautifully fresh & nice & we particularly admired the Cantuar dependens – Pray tell him this.

your affectionate

Constance

Are you not surprised at my Brother’s determination to offer himself again for South Derbys. Harriot writes me word, that he was strongly solicited – and finding his health improved by 2 years’ rest, he did not think it right to refuse –