Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 19-23 December 1880
Title
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 19-23 December 1880
Title
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 19-23 December 1880
Sender
Edith Simcox
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1880-12-19–<br /> 1880-12-23
Place
London
Letter Content
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 19-23 December 1880
MS: Bodleian. Extract published: Haight, George Eliot, p. 547.
Sunday 19 December 1880
A short and sweet -- quite sweet -- note came last night asking me to go this afternoon, she hoped no one else would be there. I don't think it likely that no one will but of course would rather go invited than not.
Thursday 23 December 1880
She was alone when I arrived. I was too shy to ask for any special greeting -- only kissed her again and again as she sat. Mr. Cross came in soon and I noticed his countenance was transfigured, a calm look of pure beatitude had succeeded the ordinary good nature. -- Poor fellow! She was complaining of a slight sore throat; when he came in and touched her hand, said she felt the reverse of better. I only stayed half an hour therefore; she said Do not go, but I gave as a reason that she should not tire her throat and then she asked me to come in again and tell them the news. He came down to the door with me and I only asked after his health. She had spoken before of being quite well and I thought it was only a passing cold -- she thought it was caught at the Agamemnon. I meant to call again tomorrow and take her some snowdrops. This morning I hear from Johnny -- she died at 10 last night!
MS: Bodleian. Extract published: Haight, George Eliot, p. 547.
Sunday 19 December 1880
A short and sweet -- quite sweet -- note came last night asking me to go this afternoon, she hoped no one else would be there. I don't think it likely that no one will but of course would rather go invited than not.
Thursday 23 December 1880
She was alone when I arrived. I was too shy to ask for any special greeting -- only kissed her again and again as she sat. Mr. Cross came in soon and I noticed his countenance was transfigured, a calm look of pure beatitude had succeeded the ordinary good nature. -- Poor fellow! She was complaining of a slight sore throat; when he came in and touched her hand, said she felt the reverse of better. I only stayed half an hour therefore; she said Do not go, but I gave as a reason that she should not tire her throat and then she asked me to come in again and tell them the news. He came down to the door with me and I only asked after his health. She had spoken before of being quite well and I thought it was only a passing cold -- she thought it was caught at the Agamemnon. I meant to call again tomorrow and take her some snowdrops. This morning I hear from Johnny -- she died at 10 last night!
Citation
Edith Simcox, Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 19-23 December 1880, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/91782