MS Plymouth and West Devon Record Office 308/260
My dear Mary,
I did not like to write to you all this time because we were in a a great state of uncertainty. However Julian got a letter yesterday from the ‘liquidator’ to say that the creditors will take £2000 now and £500 six months hence which will cover everything, and is much better than at one time we expected I do think it is a comfort ones fears go too far for it makes what would be bad news at first seem quite a relief. It was like being in a state of siege all the time. Frances would not even have the chimneys swept for fear the creditors should benefit by it. I am sure all together it has shewn the kindness of friends! Gertrude is gone out for her visits, and is in Sussex now, and since she went I have had Mary Coleridge for nearly a week, but she has not as much time to give me as I hoped, as Alethea Mackarness wants her help so much in the preparations for the double wedding which falls severely on her, as the other two girls are only 14 and 7. It is hard to lose Eleanor the most effective of all the girls at 20, but they like her marriage exceedingly, though they much dread the other.1 Bernard and Mary are to live at his father’s and will be very badly off for the present. Alethea is to go to her school on the 5th of August. It is at Liverpool a most inconvenient distance, but we know the lady, which is the attraction. I am afraid Uncle Yonge must feel this great heat very much. I have more to say but I have so many needful letters to write that I must end this one
your most affectionate
C M Yonge