BR TO OTTOLINE MORRELL, [16 DEC. 1911]
BRACERS 17378. ALS. Morrell papers #289, Texas
Proofread by K. Blackwell et al.

Three Bridges1^, 2
Saturday night.

My Darling

This is chiefly to say that I find Crompton goes up on Monday by a train which arrives before 10, so you needn’t put off coming as soon as you can, as I shall be in my flat by about 10.15. [I shan’t expect you before 11.15, but if you do come I shall be there.]a

Things here are very easy — Crompton is quite his old self, very friendly and nice. Moya is quite nice, tho’ not interesting. They live in a middle-class paradise — beef-steak pie for dinner, the house hot and rather stuffy — a copse outside, a road being made, and so on.

Crompton has lost his fire — he is no longer a burning flame. His behaviour is still very amorous — he pets Moya and talks silly talk to her. It is awful how people’s best qualities depend upon unhappiness. I don’t think his best self has gone into his marriage, but I do think he is happy. I have no clear vision of his future. My affection for him is very temperate — I wish it were less so.

Darling it was a divine day — you were so wonderful. The more you give the more I feel you have in reserve — that is partly what keeps our love so living and growing — one can never say to oneself “here is the summit, the ultimate perfection” — there is always something more and greater to come.

I feel Crompton got all there was to get at once — then there is only repetition. With you and me there is never repetition — always something new, something more. That is because our love is linked on to the infinite things — because it belongs with what grows in us — I feel a great certainty of our future — it may have storms, but the inmost principle of growth is the same and will always remain a bond. You make me live, and I want what you have to give — that is what makes me feel secure. Something great shall come of it.

Darling you do give me peace in the depths — it is only the middle region that is agitated. I should not wish for more peace, because it would mean stagnation.

Goodnight my Darling Love. My whole soul goes out to you —

Your
B

• 1

  [document] Document 000289. Proofread against a colour scan of the original.

• 2

  [envelope] A circled “289”. The Lady Ottoline Morrell | 44 Bedford Square | London W.C. Pmk: DE 17 | 11

Textual Notes

• a

  [I … there.] inserted