Lady Mary wishes to take up Middleton Todd's invitation to make an offer over the fee to be charged for the proposed portrait of her father, [
William Leveson-Gower, 4th Earl Granville], by asking him to consider 300 guineas. She explains that Government House is in the country, and therefore it would not be easy for Middleton Todd [to follow his usual practice, of staying in a hotel], but he would have a suite to himself, his hours would be of his own making, and he could eat in his own sitting room if he felt too preoccupied to join them. The letter encloses Middleton Todd's draft reply, dated 18 September 1952, in which he accepts the commission, and Lady Mary's suggested fee. He adds that he had a pleasant fortnight painting in Huntingdonshire, although the weather was not very good. He will contact her when she is in London.