[The letter is in the BL and its envelope is in the NMeM.]

January 21^st

My dear Henry

I do not take it well of you to refuse my request upon such very frivolous grounds – I did think you had more affection for me than it appears is the case – It is fifty to one Aunt H ^<1> goes to Lacock at the time she says – There will not be such a crowd at my wedding ^<2> as you seem to think – dear Uncle Harry & Uncle William ^<3> & some Strangways are the only people I know of & I am sure your business would not be much hindered by a week or ten days absence but as the old law is “where there’s the will, there is the way” – & it seems the will is wanting, so it is of no use to look for the way – I expect you to send me something very pretty to atone for your absence & if you behave yourself in a cousinly manner tho’ you won’t in a brotherly way, you shall have a share of wedding Cake

I cannot help thinking that your own unbiassed feelings would have brought you, consequently I do not feel so much vexed with you, as I should if I thought it otherwise –

I hope M^r Franklen will bring our dear Mary ^<4> to us soon & safely – he is going to Lacock to fetch her home – My love to all – I am dear Henry in spite of all my complaints your very affec^te cousin
Isabella Talbot

It is quite impossible for you to expect to see me at Lacock I think after your behaving so shabbily to me – look to it – & make up for past offences by [illegible deletion]

[envelope:]
Swansea Jany^y. twenty one
Henry Talbot Esq^r
Laock Abbey
Chippenham

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Notes:

1. Lady Harriet Frampton, née Fox Strangways (d. 1844) .

2. She married Richard Franklen in late January.

3. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3^rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858), and William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4^thh Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.

4. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin.