Friday Dec 9th.
Our beloved Papa arrived between 11 & 12. Tho’ the thoughts of seeing him made me sick & trembling hours before, yet when I was his dear face, my fear of distressing him outgrew other fears. I did not faint; or cry .. much. Henrietta & Arabel cried too! Our dear dear Papa.
He is apparently well, & in good spirits. He talked to us all day, in his animated agreable manner; & I could almost believe him to be happy.
Only once his eyes wandered to the window. There were those horrible cows of Capt. Johnson’s in the park.[1] His countenance changed; & his eyes were turned away.
1. Capt. John Johnstone (1783–1870), of Mainstone Court, near Ledbury, brother of Lady Knowles, and lessee of part of the Hope End land.
