Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Sorry not to have seen or heard from Bessie this autumn; misses her very much and was 'distressed' to hear from Donald [Tovey] that there has been 'some sorrow' in their house. Encourages her not to 'lose the habit' of visiting, even if the concert dates do not suit. Has been very busy with work, and worried about Donald's symphony; this has turned out 'a huge and... beautiful and splendid thing', as far as she can judge, but he has 'only just finished the third movement', all of the finale still needs to be put on paper, 'and he starts for Germany on Friday next!'. Four copyists are already at work on it. He stayed very 'serene and equable' until some 'annoying letters' came a few days ago from Hugh Godley, whose conduct 'as an English gentleman' and as Donald's friend she doubts, and now his appearance worries her. Fears this will always be the case; 'the thought of leaving him truly makes [her] afraid of death'. But the symphony exists, it would not be too terrible even if the performance were be delayed; Donald will recover and she thinks he will finish the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] quickly now. Invites Bessie to stay the night on Thursday if the Klinglers stay; has just had a card from [Karl?] Klingler.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for her kind note; wishes she could 'just ship Donald [Tovey] off to Amsterdam', but he is going to play in Leeds then representing Oxford at the centenary of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. He is much better again, though things are 'still very difficult' for her. The gossips in London say Hugh Godley declares 'he will not rest till he has detached Donald' from her; 'whatever is really best for Donald' will be best for her and she is not afraid as long as he 'remains his own good self'. Wishes he could go and stay with the Röntgens and Bessie; he is with Neville Lytton at the moment. The Klinglers [Klingler Quartet] are coming to Northlands when they will have more of his music, and [Adolf] Busch is going to put on his music in Vienna, so she hopes 'proper appreciation is in sight at least'. Wishes Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] were finished. Donald has shown her a letter from Guilhermina Casals [Suggia] written in Munich, which he says 'was exactly like the one to Madame Röntgen'. Is convinced the letters were not written by Guilhermina but by Pablo [Casals]: they are not at all in her style. It is 'the most frightful tragedy': she believes Guilhermina still values Donald 'rightly', but love Casals and had to write the letters or 'be thrown out into the street again' so she has betrayed Donald. Asks if she can have Guilhermina's letters to her back; Donald took them but said she ought to have them. Has also received a letter from 'old Madame Casals', asking her to write her a 'bonne lettre'. Thanks Bessie for seeing to her 'poor little chain'. Has sent Donald Bessie's letter at the Lyttons.