GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, [28] February [1859]
Title
GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, [28] February [1859]
Title
GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, [28] February [1859]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Bray
Date(s)
- 1859-02-28
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, [28] February [1859]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1859. Hitherto unpublished.
Monday | February 27. 55
Dear Friend
I have written to Chrissey and await another letter from her. If she expresses a wish to see me, I shall go -- as soon, that is, as I can leave Mr. Lewes for two days, of which he stoutly resists the mere notion so long as the present servant is in the house. It is a terrible sacrifice to me to leave home at all -- quite like the prospect of a tooth-drawing; and much as I should like to sit with you all by your own fire, I am afraid the necessity of hurrying back and making two unbroken railway journeys of it, will forbid me that pleasant renewal of the past.
People who have been inseparable and found all their happiness in each other for five years are in a sort of Siamese-twin condition that other people are not likely to regard with tolerance or even with belief.
We have had several hopeful indications of a possible servant within the last two days: -- among the rest, the very young woman who, we thought, had disappointed us by remaining with her old mistress, is coming from Bath for me to see her on Wednesday evening. But nothing is achieved yet, and all openings are welcome.
I have not seen the Congreves, for we were out when they called and have not yet been able to return their visit. We shall go this morning. 56
Ever yours affectionately
Marian Lewes.
Charles Bray Esq.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1859. Hitherto unpublished.
Monday | February 27. 55
Dear Friend
I have written to Chrissey and await another letter from her. If she expresses a wish to see me, I shall go -- as soon, that is, as I can leave Mr. Lewes for two days, of which he stoutly resists the mere notion so long as the present servant is in the house. It is a terrible sacrifice to me to leave home at all -- quite like the prospect of a tooth-drawing; and much as I should like to sit with you all by your own fire, I am afraid the necessity of hurrying back and making two unbroken railway journeys of it, will forbid me that pleasant renewal of the past.
People who have been inseparable and found all their happiness in each other for five years are in a sort of Siamese-twin condition that other people are not likely to regard with tolerance or even with belief.
We have had several hopeful indications of a possible servant within the last two days: -- among the rest, the very young woman who, we thought, had disappointed us by remaining with her old mistress, is coming from Bath for me to see her on Wednesday evening. But nothing is achieved yet, and all openings are welcome.
I have not seen the Congreves, for we were out when they called and have not yet been able to return their visit. We shall go this morning. 56
Ever yours affectionately
Marian Lewes.
Charles Bray Esq.
Signature
Marian Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, [28] February [1859], 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/92181