4 Circus, Sunday
Nov^r 17 /72

My dear Henry

I was very much pleased to hear from you of the Stove being just up in the Stone gallery, and I hope it will be very conducive to the comfort of all of us – You should give it a fair trial at first starting, by having it lit every day – for I want greatly to know how it answers – and I shall judge also by Monie’s report, the day she goes over to meet Ela – Going out from the warm Circus house, she will doubly appreciate the absence of chill in that portion of the Abbey – We have had the weather cold & disagreable [sic] throughout the last week, and I have not stirred out. Today is milder & the wind has changed – but it has rained most of the morning. with partial clearing & glimpses of Sun – It is so far more promising – yesterday was miserably cold & wet. The new Cook, M^rs Henderson arrived on Friday – after a cold night journey from Fife. She was in great want of rest, so of course I did not see her till yesterday – and then only for a few minutes. She appears a quiet kind of person – and we must give a little time on both sides before forming any idea of how we may suit. – The first days are always passed at a disadvantage, and coming as she does, among strangers.

We sent you by Hill yesterday the sheet of Tuesdays Times wh Ela said you wanted – we hope it is the right sheet – we thought it useless to send the whole, advertisements and all! Rosamond sends her love, and begs you to say from her to Ela, that she is not to expect her on Wednesday, because there is a Concert (which she had forgotten) that morning which she & Mamie will perhaps wish to go to if the weather permits – At any rate they will reserve the day free so as to go if they feel inclined to this concert. R^d imagines that Thursday will suit Ela equally well – but of course she does not wish to prevent her coming out to Bath alone on Wednesday if she prefers it – Have you heard of M^r Roach since he went up to London? I am afraid his state of health is becoming serious. It is bad news about M^r Starkie – How will his poor Mother bear this new sorrow! – then there will be the Widow & children to burden her with anxiety.

Your affectionate
Constance