[this is written on the same sheet as a note from Capt Feilding - see Doc. No: 01267]
Lady Elisabeth <1> est beaucoup trop occupée des costumes de Ciacciara et altri, pour vous dire combien l'a affligée la triste nouvelle que Mrs Gwynne <2> nous a apportée hier au soir; elle craint que vous n'en n'ayiez été fort affecté en ayant été presque témoin de ce malheureux accident! et que l'impression qui vous en restera ne répande un voile lugubre sur toute l'Abbaye; nous vous souhaitons avec nous en ce moment où la bustle of London triomphe des idées noires qui viennent par moment nous obséder.
Nous avons trouvé Charlotte Hunloke <3> à notre arrivée; et sa présence a été d'un effet salutaire sur Elisa <4> qui a tempéré les explosions de sa joie bruyante; Toutes deux viennent de partir, en ce moment, après nous avoir fait de longs et tristes adieux; Elisa dit que les jours qu'elles a passés à Lacock ont été les plus heureux de sa vie; elle ne s'attend à rien de semblable à Wingerworth. <5> - toute la ville est occupée des costumes on n'entend parler que de cela absolument.
Translation:
Lady Elisabeth is too preoccupied with the costumes for Ciacciara and the rest to tell you how distressed she was by the sad news which Mrs Gwynne brought us last night; she is afraid that you might have been very badly affected by it since you were almost a witness to this unfortunate accident! and that your memory of it may cast a gloomy shadow over the whole Abbey. We wish that you were with us at the moment where the bustle of London overcomes the dark thoughts which come to haunt us from time to time.
We found Charlotte Hunloke on arrival; and her presence had a beneficial effect on Elisa who has moderated her outbursts of joy. The pair of them have just left after bidding us a long and sad farewell. Eliza says that the days which she spent at Lacock were the happiest of her life. She does not expect anything similar at Wingerworth. The whole town is preoccupied with costumes. There is talk of absolutely nothing else.
W. H. Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham.
Notes:
1. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Davenport Talbot (1773-1846), WHFT's mother.
2. Mrs Gwynne (d. winter 1841/1842), lady's maid, cook and housekeeper to Elisabeth Feilding.
3. Charlotte Mary Hunloke (1808-1857), daughter of Lady Anne Hunloke, née Eccleston (1788-1872); after 1860, known as Lady Anne Scarisbrick.
4. Eliza Margaret de Biaudos, née Hunloke (1810-1878), daughter of Lady Anne Hunloke, née Eccleston (1788-1872); after 1860, known as Lady Anne Scarisbrick.
5. Wingerworth Hall, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, residence of the Hunloke family.