BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [23 JAN. 1919]
BRACERS 19420. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
The Manor House
Garsington
Oxford1^, 2
Thursday3
(in haste for post)

Beloved

Your telegram4 just came — how gloriousa — I am so excited — as if I had never been away with you before — But you don’t tell about Cyrano5 — I do hope that will come off — Fancy a yellow wig!6 Oh my! Won’t it be lovely? Streatley tomorrow7 — how divine. Leaving Paddington 1.20 for Goring. I arrive there 10.50, go to Gordon Sq8 to fetch some things, and am then free. If lunch before 1.20 is possible for you, phone to G.S. to say so — I shall reach G.S. at 11.15. But I imagine you won’t have time for lunch. If I hear nothing, I will meet you at Padd. having taken the tickets. I shall be at the barrier —

She is waiting for letter. My lovely Cherub I loveb you my dearest Darling —

B

• 1

  [document] Document 200410.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 34 Russell Chambers | Bury Street | London W.C.1. Pmk: GARSINGTON | 23 JA | 19 | OXFORD

• 3

  [date] The date is taken from the postmark.

• 4

  Your telegram On 23 January 1919 Colette telegraphed that she had reserved Goring from Friday at lunch-time until Monday at lunch-time (BRACERS 113168).

• 5

  CyranoColette was being considered for the role of Roxane in a production of Cyrano de Bergerac with Robert Loraine in the lead role. It opened in Liverpool on 17 February, then went on to Edinburgh, and opened at the Garrick in London at the end of March 1919. She did not get the part.

• 6

  yellow wig For the role of Roxane.

• 7

  Streatley tomorrow Streatley was across the river from Goring. They had stayed at The Swan in Streatley before and were perhaps booked there again, even though Colette’s telegram referred to Goring.

• 8

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

Textual Notes

• a

  glorious glorious is underlined three times.

• b

  love love is underlined nine times in a continuous stroke.