Hótel d’Orient Paris
Thursday July 29th
My dear Henry
I have had 2 letters from you since I wrote; the first from Paris, which I received next morning at Dijon (Tuesday) – the other of yesterday, from the Athenæum, at 11½ today. It is so pleasant to be within a single day’s post of one’s correspondent; instead of 3 or 4, as we are from Lucca! Today I have a letter from Rd posted on Sunday the 25th and she had not then received mine of Thursday 22d which I wrote from Vevey after getting their Telegram. So they still [illegible deletion] regarded our proceeding from their own point of view, since any justification, warmly seconded by Henriette, had not then reached them. – I hope that ere this, they more justly appreciate our feelings – The account of Mamie’s progress in today’s letter – is satisfactory, – but she was still keeping within doors. – And they have the discomfort of a thunderstorm daily about 3 O’clock; a torrent of rain for an hour or so, after which it clears, but to continue as hot as ever. I did not write to you as you requested from Dijon, because I had already done so at Neuchâtel and I had nothing fresh to say. We had no view of the Alps at Neuchâtel: nevertheless the place pleased us very much; & Ela (as usual) lamented herself that I did not propose staying another day or two to see the chief objects of interest – At Dijon we went to the Botanic Garden – & regret that you did not: for it appeared to me very well kept. and there is a very old Black Poplar, with an inscription – stating the measurements – Bayer copied it into his note book by my desire, to give to you in London – And I think it will particularly interest Caroline to have it entered among her list of famous measurements. I am sorry she has left London. & that we must not expect to see her en passant. – I am also very sorry, but not at all surprised, that George Hallam has no servants to recommend. I have got today’s Galignani & mean to take it while we remain in Paris – both for general news, and for its local use. – Today Ela & I remain at home – to rest ourselves a little, to write answers to our letters, and view certain articles of dress which Henriette has been ordering from the shops – She is so active, so indefatigable in her efforts to get what we want & save us the bother of running after them ourselves, that one cannot be too glad to have her with us – Bayer would like to escort her to the shops? but that is best done without his help. At Dijon it was different – there I allowed him to buy gingerbread & Mustard! – and I had a talk with Henriette’s friend the Winemerchant: the result of which will keep till we meet. – We are very comfortable in this hôtel de’Oriént [sic] – and they told me you had seen the rooms, and advised the quietest one for me – which accordingly I have chosen – & like it – We had a good journey from Dijon – only very dusty and hot. – And was so vexed that I did not arrange to have stopped one night at Fontainebleau! – but till the train flew past the station, it had not occurred to me that our route lay that way – I shd have known if I had taken thought; but I did not – And unfortunately neither you nor Bayer suggested it – and I had not happened to examine the railway table myself. – I am half tempted to run back from here – only it is 2 hour’s journey. – We had heavy rain last night, which refreshed the air, but I fear it is growing quite hot again – Why does Charles continue so poorly? – I feel uneasy about him – If he had been well I should have liked to have him with us at Paris –
Your affectionate
Constance
[envelope:]
Angleterre
H.F. Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham