Item 31 - Letter from Edwin Montagu to Venetia Stanley

House of Commons, London.—He enjoyed dinner last night. Discusses various forthcoming engagements and his efforts to see her.

This is a reply to A1/43.

TRANSCRIPT:

House of Commons
March 7th 1912

My dear Venetia

I am writing to say several things.

First I cannot thank you sufficiently for letting me come to dinner last night. I enjoyed it so very much indeed, partly because it was an interesting and pretty display of intelligent dress, partly because I liked to see people who were before only names to me and mainly because you who arrange these things put me next to her whom I wanted to sit next to, and a little because she almost persuaded me that she really minded and wanted me to come to the ball.

I am feeling rather spoiled by you in that the days I can talk to you compare so very favourably to the days I cant!

None the less I’ve got to tell you two things

(1) I’ve been invited to the nest on Saturday.

I pleaded engagement to you on Sunday and it was suggested I should refer to you. Have you any plans for Sunday? How largely do I figure in them?

Last night you wounded me to the very marrow by your denunciation of any desire to respond to tests! But I still despite my feeble effort to respond bravely by forswearing equally want to be told now what to do. I’ll certainly say no to nest if you encourage such an attitude but dont just say conventionally do just as I like!

(2) Dinner on 14th. I cant get a party at all at all† of any sort. Shall we postpone it for a week or will you still come which would be delicious and dine small with somebody or other to make it all right?

Will you send me an answer or telephone to me to come and see you?

How did you like yesterday night?

Yrs ever {1}

Edwin S. Montagu

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{1} Underlined twice.

† Sic.