section7mfu | The 'Correspondence' Affair #19 - January 6, 1913 (Alexander to Millicent) (Reply)

From : London, England

January 6, 1913

My Dearest Millicent,

Your forwarded letter reached me today and, I must say, that it has left me rather speechless. His Lordship has grandchildren within six years of your age, after all. All I can suggest is that you hold to the course that you mentioned yourself of sticking to your studies and not worrying too much about it for now. I will endeavor to see if I can accomplish anything on your behalf in the meantime. He has control of the assets of your mother that were able to be recovered, hasn't he?

I had already spoken with His Lordship once after my return, but before receiving your letter. I do have to say reading your letter did seem to explain some of the reluctance I felt from him in answering my inquiries about how you were looking and doing. I think I should also mention that I managed to have a long talk with my mentor and he confessed to me that it was His Lordship that asked him to stress to me the importance of obtaining a suitable wife. I felt I needed to bring this to your attention as I am gathering from all of this that he might well be jealous of the connection you and I share. It might be prudent for you to avoid mentioning me in his presence. I will have to rely on your to keep me abreast of how you are through our letters.

To a pleasanter topic, I am glad that the inlaid box pleased you and hope that your birthday present has arrived by this time and is equally acceptable to you. Jewelry is such a matter of personal taste, but one of my female cousins assured me that a classical style can be adapted to most women's taste. Though perhaps I should be hesitant in taking the advice of a cousin who still blames me for a childhood incident involving her bedroom and a frog.

This will be a rather busy week here with the wedding only four days away. The entire affair is verging on the enormous. While I can see wanting to be wed surrounded by family and friends, I cannot see making it a spectacle to the point where even people one hasn't associated with since childhood are invited (or summoned, which seems more the phrasing of the invitations). Perhaps though that is only the prospective from the view of a bachelor. After all, George is going along with all of this. I'm not convinced that any of it is his idea however. It may well be more of a case of not wanting to stand in the way of Florence's mother. She is, shall we say, highly opinionated.

I know your next stage of testing is coming up in about four weeks, so I hope the situation over Christmas doesn't affect your concentration too badly. I realize that it is far easier for me to tell you not to worry than it is for you to carry on as usual. Having seen you in action in stressful situations however, I have every confidence that you will be able to maintain an even keel.

Your always,

Alexander