BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [14 JULY 1919]
BRACERS 19506. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

Lulworth1^, 2
Monday evg.3

My Beloved

How can I ever tell you all the deep joy that you poured into my heart during these days4 — it was like being lifted up into the world of sunset clouds, it seemed beyond the joy of earth. Dearest Love, there is not one atom left of any grudge or grievance or old pain — they are melted away and utterly forgotten. I feel I can utterly trust your love, and you can trust mine — It is something new — like nothing since Blackpool5 — I feel so tenderly to you dear Heart. I hate your sorrow over work — it is real pain to me.

I got a taxi in Lamb’s Conduit Street, found Miss Black6 at Waterloo, and have just had time to read my post and have tea — there is only a moment before the post goes —

Goodbye my Heart’s Comrade7 — I will write a proper letter tomorrow — A thousand tender thoughts from me will hover round you day and night —

B —

• 1

  [document] Document 200494.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 6 Mecklenburgh Square | London W.C.1. Pmk: WEST LULWORTH | 14 JY | 19

• 3

  [date] Colette wrote “14 July 1919 [No 2] first mention of Dora at Lulworth” on the envelope.

• 4

  during these days Colette and BR had been together in London.

• 5

  since Blackpool Part of the movie Hindle Wakes was shot in and near Blackpool in September 1917. BR became very jealous of Colette’s relationship with her director, Maurice Elvey, and this jealousy caused a serious rift with her.

• 6

  Miss Black Dora Black (1894–1986), writer, educator, feminist. She and BR were married from 1921 until 1935. They had two children, John and Kate, together. Since BR includes no information about her, Colette must have already known something about her, however minimal. BR and Dora first met in the summer of 1916 when they were introduced by Dorothy Wrinch. They were reintroduced in 1919.

• 7

  Heart’s Comrade  For use of this term, see BRACERS 19145, n.12.