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Elisina Tyler to Mildred Barnes Bliss, November 8, 1914

Paris.

November 8th 1914Sunday.

Mildred Dearest,

I hoped to answer certain things in your last letter when we met. But as I couldn’t then, I will now. It seems impossible that you should have meant the words: “Shall I be going to London in November to accompany you and Royall to the mayor?” I see you so busy and so wrapped up in events that the very idea seems preposterous. Also, I heard from Mrs. Wharton that you had been threatened with bronchitis not so long ago, and you are much too precious to run the slightest risk, you know. But if you were to be with us after all, the great day of our lives would only be the brighter! We are supposed to stay a fortnight in London, as the law demands, before we can get married.Royall and Elisina Tyler married on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1914. A special license could of course be procured at a very few days’ notice, but it is a costly dispensation and so we decided against it. Perhaps you will tell us, when we see you tomorrow, what you can and will decide.

In any case our thoughts will go to you and Robert with a sure sense of sympathy—as they have done often before, in matters great and small.

I answered your question about the little Poiret lady.Adrienne Ridon. See letters of August 8, 1914, and September 30, 1914. I will give you some of her cards tomorrow. We have told her to come and live here while we are away.

As to my poor old Cornish friend,Mrs. Henwood. See letters of April 21, 1914; May 5, 1914; May 18, 1914; and June 23, 1914. I haven’t written to her or to anyone down there, so that my name should not come up unexpectedly while Grant and the children were at Caerleon.Caerleon Cottage, the country home of Elisina Tyler in western Cornwall at Ruan Minor, a small village on the Lizard peninsula. See letter of June 10, 1910. I shall attend to her when I get to London, and no doubt she will be glad of some help as it is now nearly six months since she had her line thrown across to her. She ought to be nearly ready for the operation, in fact. You are so dear to remember individual specks in this world of misery!

Royall has quite decided that William is to be left in Paris. It is a great anxiety, especially as I must take entire charge of all practical directions—you know Royall of old,—and in these uncertain times it is very hard to foresee all possibilities. In case the Russians swoop down unexpectedly on Paris, please may William look to you for protection? I shall be less anxious if I may tell his ManéMadeleine Lavie. See letter of December 8, 1914. that if everything does not remain normal, she is to come for orders from you.

Bless you dearest comfort. We look forward immensely to seeing you tomorrow at tea-time. We are off at 8. a.m. on Monday.

Yrs ever

Elisina

 
Associated People: Edith Wharton; Grant Richards
Associated Places: Paris (France)