Owing to the fatigue of last night, the party did not assemble to breakfast until half past ten. It was a chilly, grey morning, and I took a short stroll for an airing in the grounds in the interval. We had only time to breakfast before starting to return to London. We still leave the young people behind— Mary is not yet quiet over her wound, and she looks a little pale. The air may benefit her and Mrs Sturgis is kind enough to urge her remaining. Meanwhile all the arrangements must be made for the proposed journey. The Canada has arrived and in the course of the day I received all my Despatches. Mr Seward answers my application of the 24th November very vaguely, but promises something more definitive next week. Thus another week’s suspense is entailed upon me. Customary work. A visit from Mr Burch, the Consul at Cardiff and one in the evening, from Mr Alward.175