Hotel des Bains. Boulogne
Wednesday Aug 18th
My dear Papa
I just write a line this morning to let you know we are arrived here – and shall post it this evening on reaching Folkstone <sic>. The weather today is grey and calm – so that I hope we shall have smooth sea – the boat only goes today at 6.30 p M – Mama means to follow your example in staying below in the cabin, and considering the lateness of the hour – I shall not perhaps mind doing the same – but otherwise as every one who is indisposed goes below it is generally less pleasant than staying on deck when one does not fear the cold.
Mama thanks you for your last letter to dated Friday 13th – but as she has almost recovered her cold and is anxious to get home she did not feel inclined to prolong our stay in Paris – as we had finished all we had to do there. She thanks you all the same for thinking she might like to do so – and we certainly did find the Hotel d’Orient very quiet and comfortable. We propose tomorrow to leave by the 12 oclock train (if we find the our time table correct) which reaches Charing Cross Station at ½ past 2 and suppose we shall be at the Paddington hotel by ½ past three. and Mama is very anxious to find Goodwin there on our arrival as we shall have some things for him to do without loss of time – so please if anything should prevent your being there yourself at that hour, at any rate to send him.
You saw by the papers that the fêtes in Paris passed off without accident of any kind. The weather was fine without being at all too hot and the streets were gaily decorated with flags – I went in the evening with Henriette to see the d illuminations in the Jardin des Tuileries –
Good-bye dear Papa
I will not write more as we shall meet so soon
yr affecte daughter
Ela