Yvette to Henri.

10 July

My darling,

This evening I received your letter of 30 June. It cleared up several things; first the matter of the 3 kisses. I understand why, in your first telegram you wrote “more kisses”.  It’smy fault. My telegram was badly written. I’m sorry I wrote it. “I am Vienna 1.Drothergrasse 3 kisses.” What that meant was 3 Drothegrasse, Vienna 1^st arrondissement. And you read it as 1 Drothegrasse and thought I sent you 3 kisses. Heaven’s above, darling. When I decide to embrace you do you believe that 3 kisses would be enough for me?  And you think endlessly about how to use those three kisses!  How I laughed. No my love, three kisses will no do, I want us to exchange millions of kisses. On the eyes, the cheeks, the neck, shoulders, arms, all over; on the mouth too; not for three minutes but for a whole life.

I am clear now about your new life. You seem to enjoy your work and to throw yourself heart and soul into the new problems surrounding you. So I don’t know what our future life together will be. You must tell me at length about your projects and desires. I stupidly thought that I would have you with me very soon and that our reunion would be certain and soon.  Will we ever get ourselves free of the complications darling?  I can only tell you of my love I rely on you, on your wisdom and wait to hear what you say about when, how and where we will see each other again. All I can tell you is that I love you and want to live with you. That is clear and straightforward. Something so simple and natural must surely smooth out the complications.

You ask me lots of questions about my work in Vienna and with the children. It is truly frightful to have months of letters chasing us all over Europe. I have told you all about the end of my work and I have written you two weeks ago about my work here! We have to think backwards! My God, I am beginning to hate letters. […]

Listen my love. I love you and want to live with you. You want it too don’t you? So it must happen. […] Goodnight my well beloved. I washed my hair tonight. Quite a job now since it is so long. Just finished. If you were here, it would tickle you neck, your ear and the end of your nose, but I am quite clean and fresh, What a pity jot to be in your arms, or leaning against your heart. I would cover you all over with kisses and love tonight. […]

Thousands and thousands of kisses, darling, with no counting. Kisses until we fall asleep in each other’s arms.

I love you

Yvette