BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [22 FEB. 1918]
BRACERS 19295. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<London>
Friday night1^, 2^, 3

My Darling Love

I was glad to have a rather better account of you from Miles4 today. I do hope the fever5 will be gone by tomorrow, then you will soon feel better. I do miss you most terribly, my sweet love — Let me know the moment you feel well enough to have any wish to see me — perhaps presently you would like to be read to, to save your eyes?

Gilbert Murray6 came to see me today. He saw Page,7 who thinks it absurd to prosecute me,8 but refuses to do anything. Our Government tried to get the American military attaché to give evidence against me,a but he refused, with Page’s concurrence.

My book is under way9 and goes swimmingly. It is no longer any worry to me —

My Heart’s Love, all my tender thoughts are with you. Goodnight, Beloved —

B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200283.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 6 Mecklenburgh Square | W.C.1. Pmk: LONDON W.C. | 9.15 AM | FEB 23 18B

• 3

  [date] Colette wrote “22 Feb. 1918.” on the letter.

• 4

  Miles Miles Malleson (1888–1969), Colette’s husband. For more information on him, see BRACERS 19046, n.4.

• 5

  the fever Colette had influenza.

• 6

  Gilbert Murray (George) Gilbert Aimé Murray (1866–1957), classical scholar. For further information on him, see BRACERS 19121, n.4.

• 7

  Page Walter Hines Page (1855–1918). A former journalist, editor (Atlantic Monthly) and publisher (Doubleday, Page, & Co.), he was appointed ambassador to Britain by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. He served in that capacity until his death.

• 8

  prosecute me Although  his trial had already taken place on 9 February 1918,  his appeal was pending.

• 9

  My book is under wayRoads to Freedom was published at the end of 1918.

Textual Notes

• a

  against me inserted