BCARS
AE Or3 C421
HOLME LACY,
HEREFORD
27th December
Dear Miss O’Reilly –
I received your letter from Queenstown, and as I thought on reading it that you would prefer that I should refrain from saying anything to my mother, I have not done so. I remembered your saying to me that after you had had a talk with your mother, you felt relief & consolation, and now that you are without one, I thought you might like to have someone else to turn to of your own sex, though of course it could’nt be anywhere near the same thing to you. When I returned to England from Victoria I got your letter saying you would sooner not go on with any engagement, and so I said to myself that I must make myself forget all about it, and it never entered my head to come back again, I should have felt as if I was parking myself where I was’nt wanted and so I proceeded to make myself forget. It was at that time that I sent you the little hairpin, and it struck me the other day that as you had never worn it, that you looked on it as having been given when a possible engagement was pending, and I remember that you offered to send it back to me. that was what I meant by saying it had no meaning but 4:-£ as you say so, do please by all means keep it, and wear it too if you feel inclined as a Xmas present from a friend, as you are kind enough to call me . We have all ben giving each other Xmas presents, the last few days. I dont mind how often I meet & see you, if you dont mind meeting me . I dont know anyone I like better than you, allowing for my mother and brothers, and I think it is very good and kind of you to allow me such a name as friend, when I have done nothing but cause you pain & sorrow. I think you might keep my letters I have written you if you feel inclined yourself to do so, until you no longer have any right to do so. You know what I mean
(section missing)
she came about being a guest in the house & no longer mistress of it. She did’nt say so to me, but I can tell. Sad feelings come
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This collection of letters has been digitized from an earlier transcription project and is for informational purposes only. This transcription has not been verified against the originals. Researchers interested in these letters should consult the original documents housed at the BC Archives.