Mrs. Frederick Lehmann to Her Husband, Pau, 23 January 1867
Title
Mrs. Frederick Lehmann to Her Husband, Pau, 23 January 1867
Title
Mrs. Frederick Lehmann to Her Husband, Pau, 23 January 1867
Sender
Mrs. Frederick Lehmann
Recipient
Her Husband
Date(s)
- 1867-01-23
Place
Pau
Letter Content
Mrs. Frederick Lehmann to Her Husband, Pau, 23 January 1867
Text: Familiar Letters N.L. to F.L. 1864-1867, ed. R. C. L[ehmann], privately printed, 1892, pp. 73-78.
Pau, 23rd.
The Lewes's are gone after two delightful cosy days. I have got to know her as I never should have done in years in London, and I think she loves me -- we are sworn friends. What a sweet, mild, womanly presence hers is -- so soothing, too, and elevating above all. It is impossible to be with that noble creature without feeling better. I have never known any one like her -- and then her modesty, her humility. A modesty, too, that never makes her or you awkward, as many modesties do. I am full of her. She makes a great impression on me, and I long to see more of her and be with her. She said, without my asking it, she would write me from Barcelona to tell me how it went with "George," and if they were going on as they now intend. They don't go to Madrid, but Seville, Cordova, Granada, etc. When she went away last night I said something of hoping she would like me, and we should be friends. She said, "I do; I love you better every hour." She said it so sweetly with her soft penetrating voice, it did not sound as such a compliment would from any other lips. How they like you, Doochen. This was such a tie between us -- and she thinks you so handsome. I can't remember the word she used for your head. I had to give her the "head-medallion" photo of yours, so send me another; she didn't like the one she had, and admired this so much. . . . I walked down to the station with them this lovely summer morning. The weather has been glorious these two days, and the old white fellows so grand; in fact, the little visit has been a complete success.
She made me tell her the whole story of our courtship and marriage, which seemed to interest her intensely. In fact, she was like a dear, loving elder sister to me the whole time. I gave them a nice little dinner; first, a light lunch at twelve -- then he went and rejoiced poor Mr. Savage's heart by a visit, whilst I walked in the garden and told her my love-story. I wanted to take them a drive, the day was so perfect -- not a voiture to be had of any kind, a chasse going on! Provoking, wasn't it? We had a long physiological talk afterwards, and of course I brought in the guillotine question again!
Nina said her little poem of Goethe to them to-day, sweetly. My dear, she, Mrs. L., was so sweet, so attentive to Matilda! 576 Often brought her gently into our conversation by talking of Germany, and appealing in her charming, gentle way to the delighted Tilla. It was such a contrast from the way that upstart Miss Plumley treats her -- hardly deigning to take notice of her, and that very day in the Place, having in an insolent way held out a finger of her left hand as she passed to Tilla to shake, which Tilla did not take -- bravo! . . .
Mrs. Lewes asked me if there was anything characteristic here to take home. I said, "Hardly!" then went to my drawer and pulled out a beautiful large beaded rosary of the box-root, which perfectly enchanted her. She said it was strange; she had longed for a rosary, and had never seen anything more charming than those beads made of a root. I also gave her a knitted wool shawl, in which she much rejoiced. They are so looking forward to having you again when they come home. . . .
Text: Familiar Letters N.L. to F.L. 1864-1867, ed. R. C. L[ehmann], privately printed, 1892, pp. 73-78.
Pau, 23rd.
The Lewes's are gone after two delightful cosy days. I have got to know her as I never should have done in years in London, and I think she loves me -- we are sworn friends. What a sweet, mild, womanly presence hers is -- so soothing, too, and elevating above all. It is impossible to be with that noble creature without feeling better. I have never known any one like her -- and then her modesty, her humility. A modesty, too, that never makes her or you awkward, as many modesties do. I am full of her. She makes a great impression on me, and I long to see more of her and be with her. She said, without my asking it, she would write me from Barcelona to tell me how it went with "George," and if they were going on as they now intend. They don't go to Madrid, but Seville, Cordova, Granada, etc. When she went away last night I said something of hoping she would like me, and we should be friends. She said, "I do; I love you better every hour." She said it so sweetly with her soft penetrating voice, it did not sound as such a compliment would from any other lips. How they like you, Doochen. This was such a tie between us -- and she thinks you so handsome. I can't remember the word she used for your head. I had to give her the "head-medallion" photo of yours, so send me another; she didn't like the one she had, and admired this so much. . . . I walked down to the station with them this lovely summer morning. The weather has been glorious these two days, and the old white fellows so grand; in fact, the little visit has been a complete success.
She made me tell her the whole story of our courtship and marriage, which seemed to interest her intensely. In fact, she was like a dear, loving elder sister to me the whole time. I gave them a nice little dinner; first, a light lunch at twelve -- then he went and rejoiced poor Mr. Savage's heart by a visit, whilst I walked in the garden and told her my love-story. I wanted to take them a drive, the day was so perfect -- not a voiture to be had of any kind, a chasse going on! Provoking, wasn't it? We had a long physiological talk afterwards, and of course I brought in the guillotine question again!
Nina said her little poem of Goethe to them to-day, sweetly. My dear, she, Mrs. L., was so sweet, so attentive to Matilda! 576 Often brought her gently into our conversation by talking of Germany, and appealing in her charming, gentle way to the delighted Tilla. It was such a contrast from the way that upstart Miss Plumley treats her -- hardly deigning to take notice of her, and that very day in the Place, having in an insolent way held out a finger of her left hand as she passed to Tilla to shake, which Tilla did not take -- bravo! . . .
Mrs. Lewes asked me if there was anything characteristic here to take home. I said, "Hardly!" then went to my drawer and pulled out a beautiful large beaded rosary of the box-root, which perfectly enchanted her. She said it was strange; she had longed for a rosary, and had never seen anything more charming than those beads made of a root. I also gave her a knitted wool shawl, in which she much rejoiced. They are so looking forward to having you again when they come home. . . .
Citation
Mrs. Frederick Lehmann, Mrs. Frederick Lehmann to Her Husband, Pau, 23 January 1867, 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/95568