Pièce 63 - Letter from Elizabeth des Amorie van der Hoeven to R. C. Trevelyan

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10 Prinsegr[acht], the Hague. - Her uncle returned the papers yesterday with a letter to Bob's father; she expects 'the engrossing etc.' will take some time, so if Bob wants to sign them before coming over he will need to wait; he should do what he thinks best, as her 'patience is quite infinite now', but it would be good if he could come by Wednesday. Her uncle wrote that they were satisfied with the settlement and that the wedding would be organised according to Bob's father's wishes; neither he nor her aunt want the church wedding at all, so it is 'absurd' that they listened to Ambro [Hubrecht]'s scruples, and there will be no more difficulty there. Discussion of the beds and bedding. If they can call at Grosvenor Crescent to pick up the parcel which Booa has for her, that will save Bob the trouble of bringing it; trusts him not to forget the spectacles. Will order Bob's room at the Twee Steden when she knows when he is coming; she and her uncle will order the rooms for his parents at the View Doelen this afternoon; she will then go to a 'little musical séance at the piano shop', with Mr Kattendijke playing and Mr Loudon singing; she will play a Handel sonata and a Bach aria. Thinks she will send the letter to London, though Bob 'seems to have got a nice dear old postman at Westcott, who understands the human heart'. Returns to the letter later to say that her uncle has the idea of holding the wedding breakfast at the Oude Doelen hotel; this would be easier in many ways, she dislikes the idea 'intensely', as she will explain when Bob comes, but will give in if he insists.

Concluded on a separate sheet [9/66]: wonders when Bob got her letter saying he ought to write to her uncle. Tuttie [Hubrecht] is now in Florence and wants to return as soon as she can. Thinks Bob will be able to get a nice top hat here; would like to choose one with him. Thinks the white silk tie will be perfect; likes that his mother has knitted it for that occasion. Glad he got both a Carlisle and a Meredith: a 'splendid present'. Hopes the walls [at Westcott] will be ready by the time they get there; he should tell Mrs Enticknap to air the mattresses in the sun, and must remember himself to bring all the papers her uncle talked about.

9/66 is the last sheet of this letter, which obviously became separated from it and so was given a separate reference number.