Doubtless you were astonished at receiving a letter form the Auctioneer about the Prie-Dieu I bought for you at King's sale.[1] It is due to you that I should explain the matter.
The bills announcing the sale stated that 3 months' credit would be given to purchasers on all lots above 3 francs;[2] the usual conditions in short. I was very much astonished when on the Monday after the sale the Auctioneer sent me a bill receipted for the amount of the different lots I puchased & with the request that I would settle the same immediately. I called on him & he stated that no credit could be given to Englishmen not householders; I had therefore to avoid disputes to pay p2him for what I had purchased; but as I could not pay him the whole amount I gave him only what the lots I had purchased for myself amounted to & stated that I had purchased the Prie Dieu not for myself but for you.
Yesterday to my astonishment the Auctioneer called on me & stated that he had written to you to know if it was all right and had received no answer. If you would kindly write him a line you need not pay the amount until the end of the 3 months. It is 100 francs which with the commission amounts to 110 francs.
I should have been to see you ere this but Mr. Casterman is absent from Tournai & I meant to take Roulers on my way
Please to answer this as soon as you conveniently can