BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, 4 AUG. 1920
BRACERS 19678. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
70, Overstrand Mansions,
Prince of Wales Road,
Battersea, S.W.1^, 2
Wed. 4 Aug. 1920.

My Colette

My dear one, your little letter has just come — Don’t fear, dear Heart, that anything can ever dim my love, or make me submit to not being with you when you want me — On that, I am fixed —

Dora Black’s boat3 is delayed and she doesn’t land till Sunday. I feel I shall be meeting a stranger and I am anxious. —

I am endlessly busy with tiresome things — passport, shopping, etc. — I have no time to think or feel, and no wish to — I am filled with deep-down misgivings —

Beloved, I feel I love you more deeply and fully than ever before. I know your value more than I did. You are quite wonderful, in your generosity of love, and your power of living by your beliefs. This month has been a divine time. The joy and wonder of it have gone deep into my roots — and will live with me through this year of separation.4 Bless you, Heart’s Comrade5 — I love you, love you, love you.

B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200681.

• 2

  [envelope] Miss Colette O’Niel | Grosvenor Hotel | Southsea. Pmk: BATTERSEA S.W.11 | 8.45 PM | 4 AUG 20

• 3

  Dora Black’s boat Dora Russell, neé Black (1894–1986). She and BR were married from 1921 until 1935. She was returning from her independent trip to Russia. For further information on her, see BRACERS 19506, n.3.

• 4

  this year of separation The time he would be away in China.

• 5

  Heart’s Comrade For information on the use of the term, see BRACERS 19145, n.12.