<engraved address>
Lacock,
Chippenham.
January 8th 1870
My dear Mr Talbot,
I am sorry I was not able to send you an answer to your invitation to dinner tonight, before this, but I only arrived home in time to dress & hurry up to Notton where I was engaged to dine. I have been to Clifton and found my mother getting on but slowly –
If you have no objection I will come in this evening for a short time after church –
<Sincerely?>
Edward P. Nicholl