TALBOT8864

Lacock Abbey

August 31^st

Wednesday –

My dear Henry

Charles has thrown out strong doubts about your all going to Cotehele yesterday. – I therefore write to tell repeat what I said yesterday in my letter to Cotehele, which is perhaps lying for you there and contains an enclosure – a letter to you from Matilda. –

I want you to know what we are doing here. – Charles dines at the Vicarage today to meet the Archdeacon of Llandaff and his Wife. – Tomorrow I tried to get the Palmers & the Vicar and M^r Blomfield to eat with us the Melbury haunch of venison, which won’t keep any longer. – But some of the invited have pre-engagem^ts therefore our dinner is postponed till Friday – you will consider whether or not you like best to be absent or to return in time – but they don’t expect to see you; because I have explained to each that you are not at home just now. I was glad of the opportunity the venison has given me of asking the Palmers before Charles leaves us. The Vicar will bring his two guests if they are still with him on Friday. – I hope this will not interfere with your arrangements – but I could not manage this dinner sooner, as you know; because Charles only returned last night – We had given him up and were just gone to our rooms – some of the household being already in bed. – He told us that the Express train’s engine had failed to do its duty – and was at last detached – and after much delay they got another – and reached Chippenham a full hour and half behind time. Then he lost half an hour more in getting a fly at Chippenham, and got home after eleven, instead of at ¼ past nine. –

We had a good promise of rain yesterday evening and this morning – but since noon the sun came out again as bright and hot as ever.

Your affectionate

Constance.