BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, 16 FEB. 1918
BRACERS 19290. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<London>
Sat.
16 Feb ’181^, 2

My Heart’s Comrade3

Your dear beautiful letter this morning gave me the most wonderful joy — These last days together have been beyond all words — I do really feel you now again my Heart’s Comrade — You have crept right back into the inmost regions of my heart — There is still somewhere underground a little whisper of fear as regards the future — but that is only as much as is rational, and at most times I quite forget it.

I shall be out about the beginning of Sept.4 — then I shall want about a week of mere resting with my brother5 — then will come a time when it will be divine if you have a cottage in the country we can go to. Do take one from middle Sept. to middle or end ofa Oct. — somewhere  where there is a late train if possible — Never mind whether you have the money. If you have none, I shall be able to afford it. I shall be thinking all the time I am in about the time after, and I shall like to have a picture in my mind. I hope that when I have been out a month I shall be able to get back to work on philosophy — but the time before that will be quite free. I don’t mean this instead of a cottage now — tho’ unless you get a job we can’t afford one now.

Dear dear love, I hate being away from you now ever — I should like to spend every moment with you — But I do want to finish my book6 if possible. I see my way through it now. It won’t take more time than your engagements, I think. I hope not.  My Love, my Love, I do worship you — I love you with all my being — I bless you every moment for having rescued our love when I was wild. I know that all the time away from you I shall feel the joy and peace of your arms about me. Creeping into your arms is a happiness beyond all imagination. Goodbye, Heart’s Comrade.

B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200278.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 6 Mecklenburgh Square | W.C.1. Pmk: LONDON W.C. | 1. 15 AM | FEB 16 18A

• 3

  Heart’s Comrade Colette first called BR her “heart’s comrade” in her letter of 17 November 1916. For use of this endearment, see BRACERS 19145, n.12.

• 4

  be out about the beginning of Sept. BR was released from prison on 14 Sept. 1918. The actual date of his release was not determined until just before he was let out.

• 5

  my brother John Francis Stanley (“Frank”) Russell (1865–1931), 2nd Earl Russell from 1878.

• 6

  to finish my bookRoads to Freedom was finished before BR was incarcerated. It was published at the end of 1918.

Textual Notes

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