Friday. June 10.
As I heard last night that Bummy had agreed to visit Miss Steers again on Tuesday evening, I saw it was impossible to take the carriage to Malvern on Monday besides. Therefore I wrote four lines in a text hand that Mr. Boyd’s servants might read them to him, saying that I could not be with him until Tuesday. Enclosed Dr. C’s letter; & Bro left my packet, on his way to the Ely fishing.[1]
How unhappy I seem on the brink of being! While Eliza Bummy & I were sitting in the drawing room, talking & singing, in came Lane. He wished to speak with Bummy. She went out; & I felt breathless—dreading to hear something past supporting. In the meantime Arabel came into the room, & told us that a Gentleman a Lady & a little girl had arrived to see the house. Bummy returned, & pretended to know nothing about it. I ran up stairs,—& trembled until now. I hear that Bummy has sent Lane up to Papa! Those people are in the dining room. I will pray now. Will not our Father who is in Heaven, hear prayer for His Son’s sake. And has he not often & often heard mine? Yes! & when I felt in more certain sorrow than I do at this moment--
I can take breath again. The people are gone. Their message thro’ Lane to Papa was, that they were sent by Mr. Reid to see the house. Papa’s message to them was—that nobody belonging to Mr. Reid was here to show them the house. So they went away. I hear that their name is Brydges, & that they have come from Canonfrome[2] (how is the word spelt?—& that their servant spoke to ours of having seen Hope End advertised to be sold this month.[3] How is it to be? Are we really to go? I am sick at heart about it; but will hope on still. Something may be doing, still. Papa in bad spirits at dinner. Bro said something of my note to Mr. Boyd, which made Papa exclaim “What! you were there yesterday—& did you write today—”? So then I explained how he had wished me to go to see him during Mrs. Boyd’s absence; & how I had first agreed to go on Monday, & afterwards put it off. No objections made. Papa is not in good spirits today. If they dont go to Malvern on Monday, I must & will do so by myself.
1. Not identified. From the context, a small river or brook to the east of Malvern.
2. Canon Frome: a village about 5 miles N.W. of Hope End. The family of Brydges had been prominent in the county for many years, but the particular members here mentioned have not been identified.
3. The first local announcement of the impending sale of the estate by auction appeared in the Hereford Journal, 8 June 1831. Hope End was not mentioned by name, and no date was given for the sale.
