GE to Alice Helps, Witley, 3 August 1880
Title
GE to Alice Helps, Witley, 3 August 1880
Title
GE to Alice Helps, Witley, 3 August 1880
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Alice Helps
Date(s)
- 1880-08-03
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Alice Helps, Witley, 3 August 1880
MS: Mr. Arthur Helps. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
August 3. 80.
My dear Alice
Only reached home on the 26th! and here I found your sweet letter 460 with its affectionate reproach that I had not told you beforehand of the coming change in my life.
Well, dear, that was not possible for several reasons, but it was not one of those reasons that I had not confidence in your feeling for me, and in that abstinence from too prompt judgment which many experiences have taught you.
We hardly call ourselves settled yet, not having provided the many [et caeteras,] from a new coachman to decent envelopes and visiting cards, which more far-seeing and leisurely people would have arranged for in the first instance. And we are expecting to pay some family visits during the next three weeks. After these we shall be here till the beginning of November and then we shall go for the winter to 4 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. The sooner you can let me hear from you about yourself, the better. Do, dear, tell me everything. Your letters shall be quite sacred. I long to know that you have had some sympathetic occupation during the last ten weeks.
Mr. Cross is gone to town to look after coachmen and other small matters, else he would ask to send you his best regards. Always, dear Alice
Your affectionate friend
M. A. Cross.
MS: Mr. Arthur Helps. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
August 3. 80.
My dear Alice
Only reached home on the 26th! and here I found your sweet letter 460 with its affectionate reproach that I had not told you beforehand of the coming change in my life.
Well, dear, that was not possible for several reasons, but it was not one of those reasons that I had not confidence in your feeling for me, and in that abstinence from too prompt judgment which many experiences have taught you.
We hardly call ourselves settled yet, not having provided the many [et caeteras,] from a new coachman to decent envelopes and visiting cards, which more far-seeing and leisurely people would have arranged for in the first instance. And we are expecting to pay some family visits during the next three weeks. After these we shall be here till the beginning of November and then we shall go for the winter to 4 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. The sooner you can let me hear from you about yourself, the better. Do, dear, tell me everything. Your letters shall be quite sacred. I long to know that you have had some sympathetic occupation during the last ten weeks.
Mr. Cross is gone to town to look after coachmen and other small matters, else he would ask to send you his best regards. Always, dear Alice
Your affectionate friend
M. A. Cross.
Signature
M. A. Cross.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Alice Helps, Witley, 3 August 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/92013