Marcel PROUST obsessed with Georges de Lauris. 1905.

Marcel Proust (1871.1922)

Autograph letter signed to Georges de Lauris.

Four pages in-12° on mourning paper.

Slnd [Friday August 18 or 25, 1905?]

Kolb, volume V, pages 336-337.

« I think about you all the time. »

 __________________________________________________________

“Dear friend, I am very sad to know that you have been ill , my affection for you (even more keen when I receive kind letters from you like the day before yesterday) and my ability to imagine physical pain mean that this makes me very unhappy to think of your sore throat, your fever, your discouragement, your change of scenery, your diet. Since you wrote to me, believe that there has not been an hour of your sad week that I have not imagined and suffered. You will tell me that then it would have been nicer to have had a little haste in writing it to you. Here's why I didn't do it. Since q .q. time I am much more unwell and after each outing I am bedridden for several days. The last time, 15 days ago, I went to the countryside and stayed in bed with fever and bronchitis for eight days (this was before your angina, or at least before the news you gave me).

I got your letter Wednesday morning I think. I had promised for a long time to dine in the evening at the Clermont Tonnerre's and as I knew that afterwards I would not be able to come out for several days, even at best, I very much hoped that when I left the table I would be able to slip away for a moment to go say goodnight to you while the men go to the smoking room. Unfortunately everyone stayed together because there was almost no one there and that was impossible especially since it was like our Fould invitations, previous refusals etc. Now by the time I regain my balance and can fly again you will be cured. And yet I would have liked to go see you, and even more so on Washington Street where I could finally have been introduced to your family. It was a good idea for you to stay there. I don't doubt Pierre's care but I still believe that your mother's care must be gentler! Tell me if you don't want anything, if you don't need any books, any syrup. I think about you all the time. Marcel. »