Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 24-29 July 1880
Title
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 24-29 July 1880
Title
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 24-29 July 1880
Sender
Edith Simcox
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1880-07-24–<br /> 1880-07-29
Place
London
Letter Content
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 24-29 July 1880
MS: Bodleian.
Sunday 24 July 1880
I have been thinking lately of that day in March 73 -- three years before the fatal March. She said to me then, when I tried to tell her of the strange feeling of "conversion," "Why should one expect the truth to be consoling?" Why indeed?
Thursday 29 July 1880
A letter came last night and pleased me by some -- freilich rather scant -- concessions in reply to my letter sent to Venice. They think of staying at Witley till November. Since the 9th of March I have only seen her twice for a short 5 minutes -- that makes full 8 months out of the 12 an utter, barren blank. Yet I am cheered by her letter -- even while I smile at myself for being nourished by such slender consolations. She is very dear -- I must not tell her how much she has herself done to kill the ambitions to which she now appeals. If I were to tell her I am less at my ease with her than any one else because no one else thinks so ill of me (with reason). Is there any one else she loves of whom her good opinion is in proportion to the reserve shown? Well, well, -- it is over now; I have answered her letter and it is likely shall feel no impulse to write again.
MS: Bodleian.
Sunday 24 July 1880
I have been thinking lately of that day in March 73 -- three years before the fatal March. She said to me then, when I tried to tell her of the strange feeling of "conversion," "Why should one expect the truth to be consoling?" Why indeed?
Thursday 29 July 1880
A letter came last night and pleased me by some -- freilich rather scant -- concessions in reply to my letter sent to Venice. They think of staying at Witley till November. Since the 9th of March I have only seen her twice for a short 5 minutes -- that makes full 8 months out of the 12 an utter, barren blank. Yet I am cheered by her letter -- even while I smile at myself for being nourished by such slender consolations. She is very dear -- I must not tell her how much she has herself done to kill the ambitions to which she now appeals. If I were to tell her I am less at my ease with her than any one else because no one else thinks so ill of me (with reason). Is there any one else she loves of whom her good opinion is in proportion to the reserve shown? Well, well, -- it is over now; I have answered her letter and it is likely shall feel no impulse to write again.
Citation
Edith Simcox, Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 24-29 July 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/91793