BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [18 DEC. 1918]
BRACERS 19403. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
Cottage Hotel,
Lynton,
North Devon.1^, 2
Tuesday evg.3

Darling,

Here I am safe arrived — Letter to Priscilla4 posted — I think there is one from her here — I will forward it.

This place looks too heavenly — a great stretch of sea, with the moon on it, and bold headlands that look black in the night — It was beautiful in the train — sun and storm, the wonderful deep green of Devonshire meadows — I saw a flight of white pigeons in the sun against a black cloud that seemed like a sudden gleam from another world — Oh I thirst for beauty — The journey is very easy.

Get into the Ifracombe portion of the train — only one change, at Barnstaple Town (not at Exeter), where I will look after you —

Goodnight Beloved — I long to know how you are getting on.5

Your
B

• 1

  [document] Document 200393.

• 2

  [envelope] Miss O’Niel | 20 Endsleigh Gardens | LONDON N.W. Pmk. LYNTON | 11.30 AM | 14 | 18 | D VON

• 3

  [date] Colette wrote “18 Dec. 1918” on the envelope.

• 4

  Priscilla Priscilla, Lady Annesley (1870–1941), the second wife of Hugh Annesley, the 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).

• 5

  how you are getting on Colette was recovering from an abortion.