BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [1 NOV. 1917]
BRACERS 19236. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<London>
Thursday1^, 2

My dear dear Love

Your letter this morning3 was a great happiness. I hadn’t a thought that my letter would bring you back. Mrs Eliot4 is still in the country so I shan’t have to see her tonight, but I am dining with E.N. Bennett5 — I will reach you about 11. My love, you are patient and good with me — I don’t want to argue and reason and explain tonight — I just want the feeling of rest together — I want the feeling of union in the deep regions that doesn’t come any other way.

I could come in the afternoon, but I feel I would rather come when there is nothing ahead to do, and when we shall be free. It is a great joy to think of Mrs Dad6 not coming in the morning — I shall be in to lunch, so if anything doesn’t suit in this arrangement you can let me know by telephone.

The only thing you don’t give me is what I ought not to want — the sense of possession.

I am coming back to you tonight with all my heart and with all my soul — the world without you means nothing to me. I want your hand in my hair — your arms about me — the love in your eyes — shall I see that again?  I have been numb and now I am not.  O Love, my Love, my Love.

B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200224.

• 2

  [date] Colette wrote “1st Nov 1917” on the letter.

• 3

  letter this morning Her letter of 31 October 1917 (BRACERS 112083). Written on document 200224 (BRACERS 19236) is this note: “In answer to mine from Manchester train dated 31 Oct. — Colette.”

• 4

  Mrs. Eliot Vivienne Eliot (1888–1947). For further information on her, see BRACERS 19062, n.5.

• 5

  E.N. Bennett Capt. E.N. Bennett was a member of the UDC; he wrote BR in 1918, wishing him success in the appeal of his court case.

• 6

  MrsDad The wife of a soldier who had served with Miles Malleson.