Lacock Abbey
3d Feb.
Dear Sir
Three days before Mrs Gwynne <1> left us, she received 24 Ł; and on the very day she went, she was paid the sum of Ł17Ě•5Ě which in my opinion must have been the exact balance of account due to her. I think so, both because she was then going, & because of the odd shillings.
As Mrs Gwynne’s sister, at whose instance this demand is made, is a woman of very rapacious character, we think her quite capable of doing so without really believing that anything is due.
It would be otherwise if she were a person of good reputation; we might then ask her to send a copy of Mrs Gwynne’s account book & endeavour to convince her that it had been settled before she went. But under present circumstances to do so, or to show any willingness to go into the question, would I fear only encourage her to give more trouble.
Yours vy Truly
W. H. F. Talbot
W. R. King Esqr
Notes:
1. Mrs Gwynne (d. winter 1841/1842), lady’s maid, cook and housekeeper to Elisabeth Feilding.