[Dinah Maria Craik, Victorian novelist, author of 'John Halifax, Gentleman'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('D M Craik') to 'Mrs Western', regarding the taking-in of 'Isabel' and an outbreak of scarlet fever.

4pp., 16mo. Bifolium. 57 lines of closely-written text. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. She begins by exclaiming 'I have been so very sorry for you!', before urging her correspondent to 'keep quarantine'. 'But about Isabel? [...] I would gladly take her to stay here as I have done beforetime - but there are some impediments - we must have complete separation between our house & yours - Mr Harris's dread is indescribable - he lost his wife & (I think) two sisters with scarlet fever. I think they wd. be frightened even at Isabel's winter dresses coming out of the infected home!' She mentions other difficulties, before stating that if she can 'have Isabel from Mondays to Fridays, I will take the utmost care of her, as I have always done - only she will have to be quite separated from Ravensbourne - so long as there is the remotest chance of infection - It is very very hard for you - I can see the difficulties in a hundred ways'. She hopes that, 'when we are quite sure of the other children's safety - you & I will meet down the road & talk a little'.