4 Circus Sunday May 12

My dear Henry

We have no news of you beyond the telegram which announced your arrival at Edinburgh – and we had hoped very much for a letter with some account of your journey – The weather is still very cold, though we have bright sunshine at this time (noon Sunday) – but yesterday we had heavy snow storms with high wind, & the sky as black as Ink, and we thought of you with great pity. Moreover we feared you might lay the blame on the northern climate of Scotland, little thinking we had the same at Bath! In consequence of this damp cold, I took advice from the more experienced ones and have put off returning to Lacock till next Wednesday – Then I really mean to be off: & see what Ela & Charles are going. The others will follow when it suits – R^d wrote to you on Friday, with enclosures: at least I heard of one, viz a letter from Matilda –

I send you one from Lady Hylton – & I have told her that I have referred her question to you – & forwarded the specimen to Scotland. – The report of old M^r Jolliffe’s death was all wrong, as it seems –

I understood the other day when we were discussing little matters of household arrangement at Lacock, that you regretted leaving the Confessional Room – as you preferred it to any other; and I think you are right. – I have therefore given so arranged that you can have it always – and you will find it ready for you when you return from Scotland.

I am sorry I did not manage it in this way before –

Adieu – & take care of yourself – and please write word how you prosper, and what old friends you have seen.

Your affectionate
Constance

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Balmoral Hotel
Princes Street
Edinburgh