My dear Sir,

I found your note on my return from Bromley on Monday.¹ I was late & could not in consequence write to you that Evening— yesterday I left early for this place having a long journey before me— I have written by this post to Dennen and asked for an explanation relative to the transaction you have referred to.² I do not understand it at all, it certainly looks as if he were engaged in some business which at any rate he ought not to meddle with. he ought not to have anything whatever to do with borrowing money at ten per Cent— The Bondsmen, he speaks of, are I suppose securities for the money advanced;³ as to his own bond, it is worth nothing at all— I will desire him to write to me immediately and I will then let you know what he has said for himself; you must not however expect to hear from me before Sunday Morning, as we have no second Post from this place either out or in, and I believe you have no second d⁠⟨⁠eli⁠⟩⁠very at Down⁴   I shall not get Dennen’s answer before Friday morning— I am staying now at

Slape House | Netherbury | Beaminster | Dorset.

I saw your servant at Bromley on Monday; ⁠⟨⁠&⁠⟩⁠ am sorry to hear that you are not well;⁵ if I had not been leaving home yesterday I would have rode over to Down & called on you, that we might have had some conversation on this matter. The affairs of the Bank are all right; no money goes through Dennen’s hands.

I remain | Yrs very truly | John Thos. Austen.

C. Darwin Esq.

PS. I do not re⁠⟨⁠turn⁠⟩⁠ home before the end of the week after next, we remain here till ⁠⟨⁠Wedn⁠⟩⁠esday next—