TALBOT8345

11 Moray Place
March 20^th Wednesday

My dear Henry

I have received your letter of the 18^th with Enclosures – and I see by what you say that you have quite mistaken my motive in sending the scheme of agreement for your perusal. It contained a few details which I had not touched upon, and which I now regret I did not copy out, rather than to have alarmed you by the sight of the complete document at such an early stage of the enquiry – M^r Greive had no expectation that you would sign anything so hastily – but he called upon me last Saturday (as I told you) with this new copy of terms of agreement in his pocket – to shew it me, as being similar to a rough draft of agreement with the present Tenant M^r Borthwick – and he civilly proposed that I should send it to you or not, as I thought proper. I have clearly stated to M^r Grieve your objection to take a house for more than one year certain – but I have held out strong hopes that we may be so far pleased with Millburn Tower¹ (after the 12 month’s trial) as to wish to agree for a longer term. – This expression of hope does no harm, but rather inclines him favorably to treat with us – You must recollect that he is acting with joint trustees for in the interest of the Minor, Sir Liston Fowlis, his nephew – The consent of the other trustees must be obtained by him to any terms that you may wish to propose – M^r Grieve is a gentleman, not a house agent – and I have so thoroughly explained to him what you repeat in your letter today, that I will wait to hear from you again, before troubling him further on the subject. After three previous inspections of the House, I again went over with him yesterday by railway to Gogar (from whence it is six or seven minutes walk to Millburn) – This visit was for the express purpose of pointing out to M^r Grieve a few things that I thought necessary to be put in order in the offices – and I found him very civil & quite willing to accede to my wishes – He shewed me what had been done last year, – all in perfectly good taste: – and with the true feeling of what is suitable in a gentleman’s house. I have, as you will believe, made a careful examination into everything, and I have now no hesitation in saying that I am sure you will be pleased with this House. – I have admired it each time I have been over – it is so thoroughly well built, all in handsome free stone – and the architectural design is pleasing – Goodwin has been over twice – & myself as I said, 4 times – The others have each seen it once. – So I think we are all more or less competent to hazard an opinion: and we all agree in the feeling that you expressed in a former letter, that “it is the sort of place we are in search of.” – I suggested to M^r Grieve yesterday that he should give time for your coming to view the place before proceeding further; to which he replied, that he had no offer at the present moment, except for the Summer Season, (which he is refusing almost daily) but that there was always a risk in delay – Lord Dunfermline is looking for a place near Edinburgh & at a convenient distance from Colligton, where the Widow of the late Lord resides – and we think he is very likely to apply for Millburn Tower – The present tenant too, M^r Borthwick, is a very changeable man, and may [illegible deletion] possibly request a renewal of his term when he comes home at the end of this month; but should he do so, M^r Grieve would feel bound by the rules of courtesy, to accede to such wish, unless he had previously agreed with yourself. –

And now, having put you in possession of all the facts, as far as I can by writing, I wait your further instructions: and I keep the papers you have enclosed to me today, till your next letter arrives – I will then say to M^r Grieve anything you wish – but of course you will write to him yourself, proposing terms. –

There is a Book at Lacock Abbey which I wish you would send me by Book post – & I think you will find it easily on the shelves in the Lobby outside the Library door, unless those books were moved during alterations of the Cabinet passage. – It is entitled “How to pass Lent, Holily,” as nearly as I can recollect. – It is a single vol. Octavo, bound in black, & titled lettered on the back –

I have tried to express in this letter, that we do not wish, any more than yourself, to take Millburn Tower for more than one year certain – it is quite necessary that we should be free to leave it or not, as we like at the end of that time. –

You should recollect that the ‘three years clause’ was inserted before my conversation with M^r Grieve on Saturday – and that when he came to that part in reading it over to me, he stopped & remarked that this would have to be altered – I think I said so in my last letter to you. – Pray answer me something by return of Post, that I may get it on Saturday – as M^r Grieve will of course be expecting some kind of message from, me – by that time.

And don’t fancy that I shall say anything to him, but what is in accordance with you expressed wishes –

Please to tell Charles that I am sorry I omitted to give him the address of M^r Wake at Cheltenham. It is 6 Pitteville 6 Pittville Lawn.

I hope Charles will have had a good journey to Lacock – and tell him I shall expect to hear from him.

Your affectionate
Constance