MS Mrs Clare Roels
My dear Christabel
I hope you did get my letter of thanks to Goosedom after all, though I was so stupid as not to direct it to you at your friend’s, it was a stupid letter in itself, but I was very much hurried at the time, and could not even write to you with it and since that I have been quite laid up, though I am promised that the result is to be getting quite and really well. Unluckily I quite missed a day the Johnses with Miss Keary and Florence Wilford were to have spent here – but I have seen Florence since and delivered personal thanks to one Gosling. She also carried off the Barnacle’s disjecta membra, which are still waiting for your changeling being rather too thin to bind without, but I suspect that it has not prospered out visiting- (It was in the Moldau that Luther wanted to drown the live changeling) The Johnses are just setting out for Scotland, and kindly lend us their beautiful Japan lilies which otherwise would waste their sweetness on the desert air.1 I have not heard whether Alice is come home. She gave no hopes of herself in August.
your affectionate
C M Yonge
Aug 1st
I wrote this letter yesterday and then came yours and I kept it, that I might read Giftie, and tell you I like her very much, only she leaves off in a piteous place. How long is she for it strikes me that I see an opening for her.