My dear Fox

Susan has forwarded your letter to her, here.— What a fearful state you have been, & indeed, I fear, still are in.— I hardly ever heard of anyone having passed through a worse ordeal.¹ I am deeply rejoiced that your health has as yet stood it. How earnestly both Emma & I hope that your poor little girl may be spared.—² I write this chiefly to show that I have heard about you.

I am so sorry I sent off my former letter on indifferent subjects to you.—³ But the case has been incomparably worse than I dreamed of. I did not even know how completely the two poor Boys had been domesticated with you.—⁴ You have our deepest sympathy.

My dear Fox | Very affectionately yours | C. Darwin.

In some weeks or months to come, perhaps you will write to me.