“Family horrors”
November 1858. Charlotte is in London with her sisters, but her visit is spoiled by the dissension and problems still caused by her “dreadful secret”. Efforts to clear matters up lead only to stress and strain for both Douglases and Kerrs.
13th
Went with Sh: to Mr Lintott’s; after lunch Mr Reade called, & to my dismay, began the family horrors, which Mary is so anxious to have cleared up. She has asked him to speak about it. He remained till dinner; & left Catty very flushed, & Sh: haggard & worn out looking.
15th
Mr Reade came, & stayed nearly the whole day. I was called in to be questioned. Unfortunately, now, as concerns the 1st act of this most painful affair, I have got confused, with the many contradictions &c that have been since.
November 16th London
Saw Lady Talbot for a few minutes. Mr K. came again; but my poor Sisters are so completely worn out with this business, that it is considered better to put off the further consideration of it, & see if there is a possibility of gaining some further information or evidence Mr K. is very good, & truly anxious that these things shd be cleared up. I trust it may be so; but I am not very hopeful; it has been so often discussed, in vain; & I almost fear Mr K. is not sufficiently impartial & lawyerlike to be satisfactory. As to myself, I do not know what to believe. It is a comfort to know, that the Highest & All-wise One, knows the truth, & that justice will be done to the injured ones, whoever they are, some time or other
