"I was a good deal disappointed by her appearance.”

Like her sister, Ellen was shocked by the news that Melmouth had married "beneath himself" and hidden the news from him family.  Here is her account of the day that the family finally met Charlotte, also recounted by Emily.

Ellen’s Diary – Sunday 7^th April, 1839

When we came home ,Louisa and Emily rushed into the parlour_no-one was there_up stairs into Mama’s room I watched…I heard a few hurried words and then Melmouth said quickly “Where’s Ellen?”.  I ran up and opened the door.  “Ellen, here’s my wife_Charlotte, my youngest sister.  I shook her hand and we all sat down.”

  “Melmouth put his hand around my waist and tunring to his wife laughingly aluded to the gown I had on.  “Charlotte, do you remember these gowns?” “Oh, yes,” returned she in a sweet, gentle voice."

And now her person. She must, I should think, be about an inch and a half taller than Emily_ a good forehead, dark grey eys, a good nose, her mouth is very bad and as the mouth is the first feature I look to….I was a good deal disappointed by her appearance.”

  “We went into dinner.  Poor Charlotte! She does seem fond of her husband. Melmouth was talking about her nearly the whole of dinner…”

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