October 26th 1868 - Letter from Eugénie Mourilyan to her mother, Mrs Mourilyan

St Ninians

Sandwich

26th October

My dearest Maman

Thank you very much for your letters to me, I was interrupted by the man coming to do the piano, and since then I have been out for a walk and been to church, there is afternoon service at four o’clock and we very often go. How are you all in Paris, it will be quite wintery when I get back their [sic]. I stayed more than a week at Ash part of the time at Miss Coleman’s and then with the Sladdens, I liked Charlotte Sladden very much. Grandmere seemed very well when I was with her, she was able to go for a little walk when it was fine and not to [sic] cold. I played the piano nearly every day to her. I practise a good deal here, I have learnt three or four duets with Edith, and also practise Handel with Emily, but I find I have forgotten it a great deal. While I was in Ash there was a wedding, a Miss Gardner, Aunt knew them a little and Fanny went to call with her and saw all the presents; it was the first English wedding I had seen and I thought it very pretty; there were seven bridesmaids dressed in white muslin and wide sashes. Fanny has been staying at Stattenborough [sic] for a few days with Aunt; I went with them to spend the evening at Goshall last Tuesday. How is Polly, give her my love and tell her I expect a letter from her full of all the Paris news. I speak French to Edith sometimes but it is rather difficult as I have now and then to tell her what I mean in English and she has to think a good deal before speaking, besides the correcting her when she is wrong. I am getting very low in my purse and should be very glad to get a little money sent me. I was sorry to hear from Papa that you were not well I hope you are better now. Is Miss Crewe still with you? I suppose Madame Allen is very angry with me for not coming home in time for school; however this month is not very important as we don’t begin Masters till [sic] November. Has she many pupils? I hope so. What are the last news from Heidelberg, I hope Aunt Sarah has quite recovered from the effects of the operation. I am afraid I have been very naughty with my Journal and have not kept it regularly. I hope some one will write to me soon, I always like a letter from home. Give my love to Joe. I suppose I must write to him next. I must finish for it is getting late; with much love to all and especially to you and dear Papa.

I remain

Your loving child

Eugénie N Mourilyan