Item 188 - Letter from Donald Tovey to Elizabeth Trevelyan

1 item

University of Edinburgh headed notepaper. - Has just seen Bessie's letter dated the 5th, which seems to have been written earlier than the one he answered before. Encourages her to see Haydn Brown before she gets 'further involved in Grettie's doings': if the situation is dealt with in exactly the right manner this 'may cause her to behave nobly' and build up 'a healthy foundation for the future' for her, but any mistake may push her to take the 'bad line' of her current lawyers, which could end 'in a bad asylum crash'. The action brought against Tovey is 'impossible', and he must not only defend it but bring one of his own: must respond to the lie that he is 'not fit for marriage' by claiming that it is Grettie who is not fit; she knows it, Tovey can prove it, and will do so 'if driven'. She should withdraw her action and leave his undefended, but telling her so directly may push her towards 'a bad adventure'. Advises that she ask Grettie in a non-committal fashion what she would do if Tovey brought an action for annulment against her, and help her to the right answer if she can. Grettie 'is very mischievous when she is found out': this is not spite, but a serious warning that Bessie could not help her, as she did at the Shiffolds in 1917, without 'saying confidential things' that would then be 'at the mercy of people.... can do very grave mischief'. The 'unmasking of her plausibility is dangerous to her' as it 'drives her to extremes' and may lead to a crash in health. Begs Bessie to show this letter to Haydn Brown when she sees him; he may be able to help her to 'save' Grettie, but certainly will not advise that she should come back to Tovey.

Pencil annotation giving precise date.