John Walter Cross to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Paris, 11 May 1880
Title
John Walter Cross to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Paris, 11 May 1880
Title
John Walter Cross to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Paris, 11 May 1880
Sender
John Walter Cross
Recipient
Mrs. Elma Stuart
Date(s)
- 1880-05-11
Place
Paris
Letter Content
John Walter Cross to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Paris, 11 May 1880
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 146-147.
Hotel Vouillemont | Paris | 11 May 1880.
My dear Mrs. Stuart
I am sure you will understand that my delay in answering your very cordial letter dated more than a week ago has not arisen from any want of appreciation of the beautiful thought that prompted you to write it.
But the great event that has happened in my life seems to have taken away from me all power of doing, or thinking of, anything except how marvellously blessed is my lot -- to be united for life with her who has for so long been my ideal. It is almost too great happiness to have got the best. Knowing as I partly do the strong feeling you have towards her I the more feel your expression of confidence in thinking of her as at rest in my care. The great object of my life now will be to justify her trust and to fulfil worthily the high calling which I have undertaken.
We were married as you know last Thursday, and have had a delicious six days' happiness. From here we go to Italy by the Cornice road and expect to be back in England in 2 or 3 months' time when I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again and of becoming better acquainted with you. It will be a great pleasure to learn that you are free from the pain to which I am grieved to hear you have been so long a martyr. She sends you a particular message of love and desires me to say that her happiness would be greater if she could think of you as free from suffering. Believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
J. W. Cross.
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 146-147.
Hotel Vouillemont | Paris | 11 May 1880.
My dear Mrs. Stuart
I am sure you will understand that my delay in answering your very cordial letter dated more than a week ago has not arisen from any want of appreciation of the beautiful thought that prompted you to write it.
But the great event that has happened in my life seems to have taken away from me all power of doing, or thinking of, anything except how marvellously blessed is my lot -- to be united for life with her who has for so long been my ideal. It is almost too great happiness to have got the best. Knowing as I partly do the strong feeling you have towards her I the more feel your expression of confidence in thinking of her as at rest in my care. The great object of my life now will be to justify her trust and to fulfil worthily the high calling which I have undertaken.
We were married as you know last Thursday, and have had a delicious six days' happiness. From here we go to Italy by the Cornice road and expect to be back in England in 2 or 3 months' time when I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again and of becoming better acquainted with you. It will be a great pleasure to learn that you are free from the pain to which I am grieved to hear you have been so long a martyr. She sends you a particular message of love and desires me to say that her happiness would be greater if she could think of you as free from suffering. Believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
J. W. Cross.
Signature
J. W. Cross.
Citation
John Walter Cross, John Walter Cross to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Paris, 11 May 1880, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/95511