Chipping Norton
August 27/77
My darling Eugénie,
I am afraid I shall only be able to send you a short letter, for I have driven off writing till rather near post time, but I think you will look for a few lines and would be somewhat disappointed at not hearing.
I got down all right this morning and found things had gone straight in my short absence, a very short absence, darling, for I am sure the time I spent with you simply flew with unequalled rapidity!
Still we spent what time we had very, very happily, for I feel I can speak for you as well as for myself, but it makes me feel all the more how necessary my Eugénie’s presence is to make me really happy.
I had the railway carriage all to myself in coming down and was therefore able to take out your photograph, and I think a smile stole over my features when I thought how little, for once, my darling read me when she imagined her Julius might be insensible to her outward charms!
I had a few lines from uncle George to-day with reference to the possibility of George getting the command of “The Lincolnshire” he evidently thinks it by no means improbable, we shall be sorry, dearest, not to have him present at our wedding but I think you will share my pleasure in the increased welfare of my favourite brother should it come about.
Have you written to Charlotte? I must soon thank her for our pretty present.
And now, my love, good-bye, you made me very happy, darling, all the time we were together and now though parted for a little while believe me as ever
Your own true lover
Julius Sladden
