BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [12 DEC. 1918]
BRACERS 19396. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
The Manor House
Garsington
Oxford1
Thursday2

My Darling Love

I was glad to get your letter today and to know you had seen Billy3 and he had been encouraging. I wonder when you will have the operation4 done. I should be glad of a telegram as soon as you know — I don’t suppose you will have to stay in much more than a week.

You will have to agree to the terms the Lynton man5 asks. When you know the day of the operation, write and ask him to reserve the rooms from a week after that — but say that you may be a day or two later in which case you will telegraph.

My life here continues uneventful — I wonder whether you will still be in Bury Str.6 on Sat. If you are, I can find out by telephoning when I get to Gordon Sq.7 at 11.20 on Sat.

Goodbye Darling. All my love is with you and my thoughts never leave you for one moment — Bless you my Loved One.

B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200386.

• 2

  [date] Colette wrote “Thursday approx 6 Dec. before operation” on the envelope. The postmark appears to have two digits so 12 Dec. has been chosen as the date.

• 3

  seen Billy Possibly Colette’s doctor. Her letter is not extant.

• 4

  the operation The abortion. This procedure was illegal at the time. Colette, however, appears to have had no difficulty arranging for it.

• 5

  Lynton man The owner of the Cottage Hotel in Lynton, Devon.

• 6

  Bury Str. BR’s flat 34 Russell Chambers, Bury Street. Colette had left her own flat and moved there just before BR left prison. Because their relationship was shattered by his jealousy, both she and he were living in different places that autumn.

• 7

  Gordon Sq. His brother’s home at 57 Gordon Square.