1890-06-20 to Clara Lanza

Autograph letter signed, Boston Public Library, 529 words

[Edited for paragraph breaks, capitalization, spelling and punctuation.]

8 Kings Bench Walk, Temple

Friday night [20 June 1890]

My dear Clara Lanza

I hardly know how to write to you. It is impossible that I should consent to your taking legal proceedings for my benefit against an American publisher. Needless to say that I quite appreciate your kindness, you know I do, but I am most averse to your taking any further trouble regarding that wretched book.

The night before last I took Miss Foote and a friend to the theatre, I told her about the publisher and she said: "Let the Marquise do as she likes, she will be disappointed if she has not her own way." This advice increases my perplexity. Of course my dear Clara Lanza if your heart is set on getting the better of this rascally publisher I will send you the papers at once: but pray understand that I do not care two straws about the book and do not want you to put yourself to endless trouble, to say nothing of the expense, and without any definite end to be gained.

Still I know that [the Marquise] does not like to be beaten etc. So if you are really keen on the defeat of this publisher let me know and you shall have the papers. I really cannot explain my feelings any better.

I am much obliged to you for your telegram. Wilson Barrett has announced a play on the subject of the Dock strike, "The Idol of the People," and I was naturally alarmed. I thought that it was not unlikely that 1 should see my play transformed, mutilated and disguised. Of course if he brings out his play it is all up with mine.

Talking of plays I do hope you will succeed in getting your play produced. For then I shall go to New York and the long dreamed of meeting will take place.

Miss Foote is really quite a nice girl, I should say that she is the best type of American. I have met many in Paris but none more ladylike than she. She is a tremendous talker, she silences me and I listen to her endless flow of conversation.

We saw a very nice play; I do wish you had been with us or rather that I had been alone with you. I am going to see Miss Foote next Wednesday and hope to have a nice long chat about you. She talks very nicely of you and seems to like and admire you sincerely.

But here I am at the end of my paper: but although it is late I cannot say goodbye to you yet. The principal thing to do is to get Lamont produced. Then I shall go over seat myself in the first row of the stalls and look out for the fair authoress. I wonder if I should be able to pick you out. Je vous remercie de tout mon coeur and as Flaubert used to say to George Sand: je vous embrasse sur les deux joues.

George Moore