Details
PROUST, Marcel. Unpublished autograph letter signed to Lucien Daudet ('Mon rat chéri'), n.p. [Paris], n.d. [1902?], having received his correspondent's letter on returning from an escapade ('apres mon "equipée" '), and thankful to be back as he had not taken his nightshirt; discussing the arrangements for his visit to Pray, and since he cannot rise early preferring to take an evening train, 'Je veux dire prendre votre train de 7 heures, venir coucher à Pray (ou à Tours?) de façon d'avoir ma journée "franche" à Pray. Alors à quelle heure prévenir? Où descendre. Expliquez-moi un peu mon rat'; adding that Constantin [de Brancovan] also wishes to come, which is preferable to Lucien's attention being divided between himself and Monsieur de Noailles, 4 pages, 4to, including on the 3rd page a pen and ink sketch depicting an elongated M. de Noailles followed by a tiny Proust and Lucien as an insect hovering above (slightly worn in folds, tiny purple ink stain on 1st page).
Proust visited the Daudet's country house at Pray for the night of 5/6 September 1902, travelling by train to Chargé, and until the last moment confused about whether he was staying at Tours or Pray (Kolb, III, 130). He left the following morning with Lucien by car, and returned to Paris. Proust's reluctance to stay away from his home was notorious.
Proust visited the Daudet's country house at Pray for the night of 5/6 September 1902, travelling by train to Chargé, and until the last moment confused about whether he was staying at Tours or Pray (Kolb, III, 130). He left the following morning with Lucien by car, and returned to Paris. Proust's reluctance to stay away from his home was notorious.