2110-6-4-23

St. Stephen's House, London, S.W.1.

26th April, 1933

My own little darling

I got your letter this morning. Alas! I cannot possibly come to Grosvenor Street this afternoon, as I go off to Wales at one o ' clock. I shall be back at Elsfield on Friday morning at 10.12. Remind Webb.

I saw Alice at dinner last night, who gave me an account of the wedding. After an evening with my Mother, I went to see Tin [ST: your mother]. I am really most desperately sorry for her. We must make an effort to lift her out of the morass of anxiety, of which you know too well the reason. I think she is behaving extremely bravely; indeed, I know few people who, with such bad health and so much to worry about, would be so courageous.

I have asked the Billie Gores to name a date. This business of guests to stay at the Palace is a jigsaw puzzle. The Astors can come for the weekend, at any rate Saturday night, and I think we should agree, for the Purse Bearer thinks them important. You will see the announcement of our suite in the press today. I left out Beatrice as she was the last to accept, very unwillingly, but it really would not have done to have had more women announced. The Colquhouns had only four all told, and we have six! It would look too like John Knox's "monstrous regiment".

I am glad Billie is seeing the doctor today. I hope he gets on well with his advertisements [ST: for an Eton Magazine].

Much love.

from John

P.T.O.

P.S. I have declined Lady Askwith's invitation.

J.B