Chipping Norton
June 26th 1877
My Darling Eugénie,
You will be glad to hear that I arrived home quite safely about 1.30 this afternoon and although I am getting a little sleepy this evening I cannot let it pass without writing my promised letter, lest I should be pressed for time in the morning.
I hope you met Joe, all right, to take you home, I forgot in my hurry to ask you to say good-bye for me, please tell him so.
The truth is my thoughts were so full of parting with you that I had little room for other matters, ah, my darling how I miss the sweet pleasure of your presence, the rapture of our loving embrace, and that look of sweet contented love which beamed so often from your dear bright eyes while we were yet together, but still, I am not unhappy, how could I be with the close remembrance of those three happy days that fled away all too quickly, almost like a dream it seems to me.
I managed to get a little sleep in the train and more on board the boat for the passage was very smooth, when I got into the train at Dover I felt quite awake after a cup of coffee and alone in the carriage (save one sleeper) with the newly risen sun shining warmly upon me I sat and traced our time together over and over again and my eyes almost over-brimmed with wrought-up feeling as I thought of all the love I had for you and, happy knowledge, the dear gentle love that I have won from my Eugénie, and then I took your last letter from my bag and read it through, looked at your little ring I like to wear so much, and at the pretty birthday present given with such earnest, true, good wishes the day before; kissed your dear likeness, and began to think it almost unthankful to feel aught but happiness in the possession of your heart’s best affection
On my return I found a kind letter from Charlotte enclosing a pretty birthday card containing some rather appropriate lines, I must write to her soon about my Paris visit, she leaves Eynsford tomorrow to stay with Charlotte Hayward.
I had a little more than a hour at the Academy this morning, there is nothing very striking, either good or bad, with a very few exceptions.
I did not send Polly’s parcel from London for I thought it hardly secure enough to go by rail so I have done it up in brown paper and it shall go from here to-morrow, I forgot to ask if you wished me to write and say I had sent it but I rather conclude you may have put a slip inside unless you have noted your intention of sending it in some previous letter.
My roses have come on famously during my absence, actually a few out in the open, in a fortnight or three weeks they will probably be at their best, as I walked rapidly through them two hours ago and saw their opening beauty I could not help thinking how I shall like another summer to look at them with my darling and see if she likes my favourites and agrees with my taste.
I must not forget to write to George in a day or so telling him our projected arrangement about our wedding, I think he will like to have a chance of being present for I pretty well know his opinion of the new sister that is to be!
I found things had gone pretty smoothly during my absence, but as it is rather a critical, as well as a busy, time of year I think they were glad to see me back.
I quite forgot to give Marie a trifle, would you be good enough, dear, to give her a couple of francs for me which I can repay when I get an opportunity.
Mrs Chouls is still away, I suppose she will return about Thursday or Friday.
And now, darling, I must close, for I am quite tired, good night dearest one, you made me feel very happy all the time I was with you, God bless your kind affectionate heart, once more good night, and ever believe that you possess the full affection of
Your own true lover
Julius Sladden
Perhaps you will try and take from the paper the kiss I have placed upon my signature.
