Chipping Norton
Thursday morning
Apr 5/77
My Darling Eugénie,
You will be glad to hear that I arrived home last evening @ 9.30 after a rather tedious journey, the sea passage was a little rough during the latter part of the time but I was fortunate enough to feel no ill effects.
I thought about you last evening and imagined you at the ball, hope you thoroughly enjoyed it and had plenty of dancing, I’ve not much doubt about that.
While I am writing this I imagine my darling girl will be fast asleep after the fatigue; did the flowers arrive in time, and were they pretty?
I have just had a telegram from George to congratulate me I knew he would be pleased as well as others. I have told Mrs Chouls and showed her the photo, I believe the old woman is really pleased although I think she will be sorry to leave me by and bye, this evening I shall call upon one or two friends and tell them of my great happiness. Everything has gone on smoothly in my absence so that is very pleasant.
My pupil Mr Mitchell returned, as he promised to do, on Tuesday, poor fellow! his father fell dead from his horse the day before in the hunting field, is it not sad? it was good of him to come back under the circumstances as he knew I wished him to do, now he is just leaving to go to the funeral.
There was a sharp thunder storm in London yesterday, while I was waiting I bought the enclosed Easter card which I thought you might like to place somewhere in your room as a souvenir of an Easter morning which even in years to come I feel we shall look back upon with a sweet memory.
It was a little hard to have to say good bye – I can see you on the balcony now – but I had a cheerful journey for all that for I felt a calm happiness in the conviction that my Eugénie’s love followed me like a guardian angel and so I could not be otherwise than happy.
Kind remembrances to Papa & the brothers and believe me
My own dear girl
Ever your most loving
Julius Sladden
