BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, 8 MAY 1919
BRACERS 19473. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
70, Overstrand Mansions,
Prince of Wales Road,
Battersea, S.W.1^, 2
8 May 1919.

My dearest Darling

It seems a hundred years since I saw you — I do miss you so, Beloved. I am so sorry you feel sad and weary — it is a blow that there is no vacancy at Birmingham. What a rabbit warren the flat3 must be with Grace and Bill4 in it — I hate to think of your having so much work to do looking after the house. Have you found out when you go back to the Attic?5 The best plan is to write to Mrs Wedgwood6 — I should like to know, for letting.

Mrs Greenwood7 came to lunch but was very tired having rehearsed all morning. Nothing happened, beyond my making sure that she would not refuse autumn work on my account —

My brother8 seems to be settling down and no longer so anxious to have E.9 back. She on the other hand is apparently wanting to return. I dine with her tonight.

I have been working like a galley-slave — I have now finished Lecture II.10 But I have lots of other things to do — O my Darling I am looking forward to seeing you again. It was a blessed time at Ashford11 — I was very happy — and you were angelic —

Your lilies smell divine. Is it tomorrow or Sat. we dine at Isola Bella12 at 7? I thought it was tomorrow but my book says Saturday — I can manage either but I hope it is tomorrow —

Dearest Loved One I send you all my heart and thousand tender little thoughts to creep into your heart and keep it warm.

Your
B.

How is your health? I do want to know.

• 1

  [document] Document 200461.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 34 Russell Chambers | Bury Street | W.C.1. Pmk. LONDON S.W.1 | 8.15 PM | 8 MAY 19

• 3

  the flat 34 Russell Chambers, Bury Street (later renamed Bury Place), London WC1. Colette had been living there since the late summer of 1918.

• 4

  Grace and Bill Presumably friends of Colette’s; it is not known why they had moved into the Bury Street flat.

• 5

  The Attic The flat at no. 6 Mecklenburgh Square rented by Colette and her husband, Miles. Colette left it to live in BR’s flat while BR was in prison. The Attic was taken over by Elizabeth Russell, who in turn sub-let it to Dorothy Wrinch, who had to leave when the roof caved in.

• 6

  Mrs Wedgwood BR knew Ethel Wedgwood, the former wife of Josiah Wedgwood. He may be referring to her.

• 7

  Mrs Greenwood Georgie Greenwood, the wife of Edwin Greenwood (1895–1939), an actor and conscientious objector. Greenwood went on to direct and write films in the 1920s; in the 1930s he wrote Young and Innocent for Alfred Hitchcock and acted in his Jamaica Inn (1939). Greenwood sent condolences to BR when his brother, Frank, died in 1931. Georgie and Edwin socialized with BR, particularly in 1919; they were parents of a small child, Michael. Georgie also acted as a confidant for BR, counselling him about Colette, but not wanting to judge. She lost touch with BR but contacted him again the following year or perhaps later in the 1920s, telling him that she and Edwin had separated.

• 8

  My brother John Francis (“Frank”) Russell (1865–1931). For information on him, see BRACERS 19046, n.3.

• 9

  E. Elizabeth Russell (1866–1941), novelist. For information on her, see BRACERS 19080, n.7.

• 10

  Lecture II Probably “Sensations and Images” for BR’s first “Analysis of Mind” course (App. III.1 in Papers 9).

• 11

  blessed time at Ashford They had taken another vacation at Ashford Carbonel, leaving on 28 April 1919. For further information, see BRACERS 19217, n.4.

• 12

  Isola Bella See Bracers 19253, n.12.