BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, 5 FEB. 1919
BRACERS 19429. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<Garsington>
5.2.19.1^, 2

My Beloved

What a heavenly plan to go away Thursday to Monday. Yes, by all manner of means — I hope the railways will be running3 — if not, we must hide in London! I suggest The Swan, Pulborough.4 Thank you for asking Priscilla5 — if she can’t have me, I will go to G.Sq.6 I must dine with Eliot7 — it is necessary to discuss business8 with him. If we stay away till Monday, I will go to C.A.9 for one night Monday to begin things, and then come back here for a few nights to clear up. I will join you at 9.30 Wed. evening if you can suggest where. I will lunch with C.A. if he can have me, and go with him to the show — I am so excited by the thought of seeing you on the stage at last.10

What do you think of this plan: Eliot is obviously worried about Marlow11 — I want a place in the country — shall I find out for what sum he would let me take over the house? You and I could be very happy there week-ends — it is not ideal, but is available — One could come late at night, by motoring from Maidenhead. I favour it if finance possible. I must know what you think before I see him. I should take the house off his hands altogether. Let me know. — Sacheverell Sitwell12 has been here to lunch and tea — not very exciting — Post going. Beloved it will be divine to be away with you — I do miss you so — Every night I feel lonely and long for my Cherub and her dear ways —

B

• 1

  [document] Document 200419.

• 2

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

• 3

  hope the railways will be running There was the possibility of a strike.

• 4

  The Swan, Pulborough This inn is close to the South Downs Way in West Sussex, a popular place to walk.

• 5

  Priscilla Priscilla, Lady Annesley (1870–1941), the second wife of Hugh Annesley, 5th Earl of Annesley (1831–1908). Colette describes her mother as “among the most beautiful women of her day” with a love of bright colours and walking (After Ten Years [London: J. Cape, 1931], pp. 12–14).

• 6

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

• 7

  Eliot T.S. Eliot (1888–1965). For information on him, see BRACERS 19062, n.5.

• 8

  discuss business BR still had a financial involvement and furniture in the Eliot’s home in Marlow. The tenants were moving out.

• 9

  C.A. (Reginald) Clifford Allen (1889–1939). For information on him, see BRACERS 19046, n.7.

• 10

  on the stage at last As “Ila” in Rabindranath Tagore’s play, The King and Queen on 12 February 1919 at the Comedy Theatre, London.

• 11

  Marlow In her letter of 7 February Colette cast a negative view of completely taking over the house there from Eliot (BRACERS 113174).

• 12

  Sacheverell Sitwell (1897–1988), a writer and member of the distinguished literary family. Although Sitwell would go on to have a notable career as a writer in the fields of art and literature, at this time he had only published one slim volume of poetry, The People’s Palace.