Speddoch!
Tuesday Nov 1^st

My dear Henry

At Matilda’s urgent and affectionate request, we have just agreed to stay with her eith over tomorrow. – She says (what is quite true) that one day is not enough for her to say all the things she wants to say to me – besides what she wishes to shew me about the place & to point out all her improvements both indoors and out. I scrupled at first to leave you yet another day in solitude and in daily expectation of our arrival – and you perhaps begin to think that we shall never come back to dear deserted Lacock. But such fears would be quite unnecessary, at this particular juncture. – You will see the four servants arrive to day, I hope – & will consider it as a sure indication of our speedy intention of following speedily – Another & quite sufficient reason for staying till Thursday morning is that I am feeling exceedingly tired today & am scarcely able to enjoy being with my Tilly – A day of repose after yesterday’s journey is very desirable – for it was long & fatiguing – We were obliged to start from Grasmere at eight in the morning – consequently we were up at six – after a late packing the night before – and I got very little sleep – Therefore we will on Thursday and be with you on Friday to a comfortable dinner – Tomorrow Goodwin will write the orders for the Carriage – when we have first ascertained what changes there may be in the time of trains for this month (November).

Tilly thought of writing to soften your displeasure to at our keeping you waiting another day – but I would not let her – as I know she must write a letter on business to her dressmaker by this post – and the hour for despatch of letters is approaching –

In haste y^r affectiona^te
Constance –

We had an excellent journey yesterday and found all well here – Matilda sends her love – Weather much improved –

Pray let M^rs Dunn and Rebecca know of our not coming till Friday. –

[envelope:] H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire