Elisina Tyler to Robert Woods Bliss, July 28, 1914
21 Quai Bourbon
IVème
Tuesday 28th July 1914
Dear Robert,
The King’s Proctor seems to have heard certain rumours concerning Grant Richards’ supposed irregularity of life. I may say that my sister quite recently charged some one who repeated vague gossip on the subject, to say if they knew the slightest fact to substantiate it. The person thus challenged had to admit that no fact had ever reached their ears.Elisina would repeat this to Mildred Barnes Bliss in her letter of August 8, 1914.
The truth is that Grant Richards likes leading a cosmopolitan sort of life, such as he has described in “Caviare”Grant Richards, Caviare (London: Grant Richards, 1912). and with a certain class of person that is enough for malevolent inventions to be built upon. I stated definitely that I knew nothing, that rumours had as far as I knew proved to be invented, and that Grant’s attitude in life (not in fiction) was rather puritanical than otherwise. I hope it won’t be necessary to hear any more of this. Thank you so much for your kindness. A friend in need is a friend indeed, and I feel I have two such friends in you and Mildred.
Kind remembrances and love to you both.