Abbotsbury ^<1>
Saturday

My dearest Henry

I was exceedingly touchée ^<2> by your letter – thank you for giving me that first proof of confidence – Need I say how I pray for your happiness my dear brother, how I wish you joy with all my heart I have longed for many years to see you happily married – I wish I knew her ^<3> better – I only remember thinking her very pretty that day at Laycock but I am certain as she has charmed you that she must be very amiable & I am quite disposed to love her & receive her as another sister. I obeyed your injunctions & did not breathe a word of it, though I naturally longed to talk to Papa about it – & was obliged to keep my feelings to myself & appear unconcerned. I do wish I could have seen you here & express to you all I never can by letter – God bless you

your very aff^te sister
Horatia

Is it not odd that you & I should be uncle & aunt. I do so long to see my little nephew ^<4> – I hear he is very fat & robust – Pray write to me again when you have a moment to spare & tell me more

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^r
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
31 Sackville St
Piccadilly
London

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Notes:

1. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.

2. Touched / moved.

3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.

4. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.