“I have received your letter, the terms of which not a little surprise me. I was under the impression that you had, and have had all along, a ‘free hand’; for I do not recollect that any suggestions I have been so unfortunate as to make have met with your approval. In giving you, in accordance with your request, this ‘free hand,’ I wish you to clearly understand that the total cost of the house as handed over to me completely decorated, inclusive of your fee (as arranged between us), must not exceed twelve thousand pounds⁠—£12,000. This gives you an ample margin, and, as you know, is far more than I originally contemplated.

“I am,

“Yours truly,