"[Undated]". This is a typed copy of a florist's card.

"Lilies—the kind you had in Brixton, with all my love." The flowers were sent to welcome him back home from Russia.

Colette writes: "Your Volga 'book-letter' seems to me most wonderful. I've read it many times." She is referring to document .001565, record 18772.

"Later". Dated from letter no. 271, which was written earlier that day.

"Sunday afternoon."

The letter is dated from the opening of the play Conflict on 30 November 1925.

This typed letter has a short textual overlap with Colette's handwritten letter of 2 November 1928 (document .052484, record 98400). The similar text concerns the difficulty of their meeting in the future. Both letters were written from Southern Rhodesia.

The letter relates an incident in which BR lost his temper at the nursery-governess (Patricia Russell).

This letter is not dated correctly. In her handwritten letter of 13 September 1936, document .052492, record 98408, she asks BR a question which clearly precedes this letter.

Colette writes that BR's letter was the first one to reach her in Finland. This is not correct. A letter handwritten on 16 September (document .052512, record 98427) tells him that "It was a terrific joy to get your letter."

This typed letter covers much of the same subject matter as her handwritten letter (document .052515, record 98430), although the wording is completely different.

Although the form for this series of her letters is usually given as a typed copy, the text appears to be an original creation. This form is still a TL(TC) but only to recognize that this typing for her book is very probably not the original typing of this letter.

There is also an original letter written on the same date, document .052520, record 98435. In it Colette writes that her old cottage at Sundborn has become available and she will be going there in a few days. In this typed letter she is already there.

This letter begins by noting that she received BR's letter of 23 March two days ago, i.e. 20 May. In an original typed letter of 11 May (document .052524, record 98439), she begins by noting that she received that day BR's letter of 23 March. The text of the letters is different.

There is also an original typed letter of the same day, document .052527, record 98442. That letter has a carbon of its first page, document .104402, record 116172. The text of this letter, although dated the same, is different.

There is also an original typed letter of the same date. The text is completely different with the exception of the mention of BR's son John in her will.

Malleson has gone from Lund, Sweden, to Finland. She asks if BR would like her to stay at some small country pub near Cambridge, if she comes to England in October.

"[Undated]".

Malleson positioned this undated letter between letters of October and December 1946. It may be able to be dated by reference to Alexander Werth's writings on Russia, mentioned in the letter.

[Werth interviewed Stalin for The Times, 25 Sept. 1946 ("No Real Danger of a New War").]

Malleson thanks BR for his news of Kapitza and is glad his troubles with Peter and John are cleared up.

If BR manages to get to Sweden, Malleson says that the atom bomb can go off immediately afterwards, so far as she personally is concerned.

She's bringing a draft of a letter about Estonian and other Baltic refugees, intended for an English newspaper, which Hampden Jackson says the Duchess of Atholl will sign. Perhaps BR will sign it, too. (At 2: 102 of her book of letters, Malleson's editor states: "To her delight he approved her draft of the Baltic refugees letter, and was glad to sign it.")

[Neither the text nor any publication of this multiple-signatory letter has been found.]

"End of March—and your ticket already booked."

Malleson/Urch date the letter the end of March.

Malleson describes how she has prepared BR's room for him. A big store has a window full of his books.

BR has arrived in Sweden. When he and she go to a restaurant, "all the faces turn round with benevolent smiles". He brought her "the precious proofs of his new book".

"Will be with you ten o'clock tonight with Allen". According to Urch's commentary (p. 327), this telegram was delivered at Lulworth on 26 June.

Malleson's narrative refers to two telegrams from Miss Black (Dora Russell) in Paris (see documents .200626 and .200632).

Malleson mentions an old remark of BR's on Arthur Waley.

Malleson describes BR and Peter's Ffestiniog home, not without praise. BR told Colette: "We never should have parted."

Malleson visited her farm near Ffestiniog (it isn't hers quite yet). She can keep BR's cottage "in perfect order" and is preparing for BR's arrival.

BR and Peter had had two "tremendous telephone rows here every single day". After "Ella", Peter sent him a 6-page typed letter "with everything she has against him". Peter wants a tenant for the cottage "so she can devote herself to her London job and her male admirers there." BR is worried about the effect of a marital breakup on Conrad. BR loves the cottage, but he has made it over to Peter to avoid death duties. Malleson has withdrawn her offer for the farm, losing the deposit.

BR is reported commenting on sheep blocking the road to the Bala train station.

More on Peter and BR and their extramarital relations.

Malleson sees the mountains and hills near Ffestiniog with BR's eyes. She accompanied him to the train at Bala.

The key to the Ffestiniog cottage will be awaiting BR at Dorset House.

Edith writes on BR's behalf, enclosing a cheque for the firm's charges (not present) and agreeing to the vacation demands set forth by Dora, though disagreeing with Dora's stipulation regarding the dentist.

"Saturday a.m."

They worked BR "pretty hard" at Uppsala. He bought bacon and ham to take back to London.

Malleson states that she both telegraphed and wrote BR a letter on this day.

"Re Countess Russell".

The document provides details of an interview with Mr. T. Riggs, along with a description of him. "It was ascertained from a book-shop adjoining, that Mr. Riggs usually has friends there, one a gentleman with a car who is about the same age and build as Mr. Riggs and whose name is believed to be Hamilton." Smith mentions a lady, between 40-45 with dark red hair, accompanied by a crippled daughter visiting Riggs.

"Our representative was informed that the Modern Reader had gone into bankruptcy, and that the parties were leaving."

Smith writes that their representative also called at 1, Coptic Street, W.C., and were informed that Harris Russell had a room there for four months, leaving in January, which was confirmed by Harris Russell himself.

"Sunday evening."

Malleson sends all her love and quotes "Aujourdhui plus que hier...."

Malleson had told BR that his wealth was now the only obstacle between them.

Malleson writes from Sweden and describes the rites of spring. "But I don't think I'll feel in dancing mood this summer...."

Malleson will not be writing to BR during the period of Conrad's holiday with BR.

Malleson longs to make life simpler for BR.

Conrad is due to arrive at Ffestiniog on the 25th.

"Please try to get your lawyer to take some of their weight off your shoulders."

Malleson as a small plant can thrive in any soil; and also on a mathematician's window-sill.

"(Birthday)".

Malleson has not seen her English books and furniture since Hitler invaded Norway. She has not heard from BR for a long time.

Malleson and "Ella" have been corresponding, but no letters have arrived from BR. She praises Ella but isn't quite ready to meet her.

Malleson will keep Dec. 6 free for BR, and he can tell her the place and time to meet.

Malleson refuses to meet BR.

She made a typed copy of this letter for Phyllis Urch dated a day earlier, 29 November 1949, document .200884a, record 107297.

There is also an original handwritten letter. There are some text matches with this typescript, a mention of Whitehead, for example. In the original letter the name Nalle appears (Nalle Kielland); this typed letter uses the pseudonym "Ella".

"(Undated)".

The original note (this document is a copy) was to accompany roses. It and the roses were taken to BR's home in Richmond by Colette after her return from Sweden. She was there until 29 September.

The original letter is document .052534, record 98458. There is some rewording of the text.