The 'Correspondence' Affair #46 - July 6, 1914 (Millicent to Alexander)

[avirra.livejournal.com]

From : Thun, Switzerland

July 6, 1914

My dearest Alexander,

I received your note telling me of your unexpected trip to Belgium. I have heard now, of course, of the horrid events in Sarajevo. The assassination of the Archduke was bad enough, but to murder the man's expectant wife? On the day of their wedding anniversary, no less. I know that the events are tragic regardless, but the circumstances seem to make them more so.

Two of our instructors are from Austria and there is talk of little else here. The two ladies have already turned in their notices as they fully expect there to be war between their homeland and Serbia. I have had the term 'slippery slope' before and never truly grasped the meaning. Hearing the news and how things are spiraling, I believe I comprehend the term all too well now.

A few of the young ladies here are also from that region and are, naturally enough, in a bit of a tizzy themselves. Some are positive that their families will call them home while the rest seem sure that their families will make them stay here and as far away from the coming war as possible.

I will do my best not to be impatient to hear from you as I know there are circumstances far beyond either of our control in action. For my part, I shall continue to write to you once a month. I will continue to send my letters to your London address unless you drop me a note to send them elsewhere.

I am sorry this letter is rather scattered. Viveka is currently in our room, sobbing her eyes out onto Ermengarde's shoulder. She is one of the Austrian girls, one of the youngest students here and very sensitive. She is the youngest of five children in her family and is afraid that her two older brothers may well become soldiers should war come to pass. As her brothers are twenty-two and eighteen, I fear she is right about that though I wouldn't tell the poor soul that for all the teas in China.

You will be in my thoughts nightly. God watch over you and keep you from harm.

All my love always,

Millicent

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Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Great historical references as well as tying them in to Millicent's situation.

[avirra.livejournal.com]

I generally have a good memory for history, but I never recall it being mentioned when I was in high school that the Archduchess was pregnant when the assassination occurred. In fact, they really hardly mentioned her at all - it was generally just spoken of as the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand with his wife either not mentioned, or just referred simply as his wife with no details.