[August 1852] Dalmuir Hill My dearest Donald Although I am very tired I cannot go to bed without writing to my old plague of a husband. I was too tired last night to write as I had been tormented the whole evening with that plague Mrs Robertson. She and the Doctor came up as I was sitting in my bedroom comfortably by a good fire. Papa had gone to bed as he did not feel well so I had them all to myself. Unfortunately Ellen had gone to spend the evening at Mrs Gold's. If she had been at home it would not have been quite so bad. As usual Shemty was with them and she makes a point of touching everything in the room. The last time they were up she scratched the drawing room table, and she regularly makes an attack on my toilet bottles on the dressing table and you know how much I value them. It is really too bad in anyone to come up at night now. Any woman with sense would know that I am not able now to be disturbed with visitors in the evening. I had a letter from Maria Collins today. She tells me that your uncle dined with them a few days before she wrote. From what he told them of you she says "she thinks her new cousin must be a very nice young man", and she desires me to give you her love. I must I think conclude for tonight as I feel so tired. God bless you my own Donald. Saturday night You must forgive your pussy my own Donald sometimes allowing a night to pass without writing. It is not from want of love but I I am sometimes so fatigued at night that I really cannot write and I cannot tell why it is I do not like so well to write to you in the day. It was seldom before our marriage that I wrote in the day. It was always late at night. I am very well again. Much better than I could have expected. Mrs McKenzie came in from the Hutt on Tuesday. She went back again on Friday and she is coming in for altogether in a fortnight as she does not think I shall require her sooner but should I feel ill again I am to send immediately. What is the reason my darling husband that you never attend to what is expected so soon. You need not fear Papa asking to see the letters as he never does now. I do not think that is the reason however. I think it is because you are so fond of your pussy that you can care for nothing but her. However love if it should please God to spare us both you must give a little of your affection to my poor baby. You need not be jealous that I will like it better than you for my Donald knows that nothing in this world can be as dear to me as him whom I have loved so long. You have no idea my darling how devotedly attached I am to you. You are scarcely ever out of my thoughts. How I wish my own love that you were at home. I would feel so happy. I must now say good night. Monday morning I must add a few more lines this morning before I send my letter down to Papa. I am wearing so much to hear again from my old plague but as the wind has been south east for the last few days. I am afraid no vessel will come in and I shall not hear till Friday. I feel so vexed that you will not be with me on Saturday. It is really very hard that we should be separate the first anniversary of our wedding. How busy I was this time last year and how happy I was. Papa wished me to ask my bridesmaids to spend the day with me on Saturday but I shall not invite them as I cannot be happy when my Donald is away and besides if you were here it would not do to have anyone as it is quite possible I might be taken ill at the dinner table which would be rather awkward. I must now conclude my own dearest love for Jessie and Ellen will not give me peace. They say that I would sit writing all day if they would allow me. Good bye my own Donald and believe me ever to remain your affectionate and devoted wife Susan D McLean