Bermuda Ocean Club
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May 5, 1879
Dear George,
The weather is a bit better today and we have been making fair progress, though with some rolling. We are all well but the sea has been very rough for the last two days and I think I may be able to report that our voyage to Bermuda is almost over; so I can now look forward to your visit to me here.
The ship looks much smaller from land than at sea, you would hardly know she was there; however, when the captain came up this evening to ask if we were all well he was in high spirits and said it would be good sailing weather tomorrow morning—that means we must be nearing our destination by then!
I shall write again next week, my dear friend, and send a few of these letters with you for Aunt Sarah. As yet I am not sure of where I shall stay when we get to St David’s. My mother has offered her home to me, which seems kind but also inconvenient because they will not be in residence while I remain on the island.
It was a little difficult talking about these things as Mrs. Boddington kept looking around at us as if she thought we might speak of anything else.
As you can see, I had to write this letter by candlelight, since the electric light failed yesterday afternoon, and it will probably have to do until we arrive in Bermuda.
With best regards to the family and love to Uncle Tom and Aunt Sarah, your affectionate cousin,
Your loving niece,
Lillie
***
St. David’s, Bermuda
May 7, 1879
Dearest Lillie,
It is now a little more than two weeks since I last wrote to you from the ship. We had hoped to stop in Porto Cervo after crossing the Equator, but the captain announced tonight that we must continue straight across the ocean without stopping anywhere en route.
I have tried to put off writing to you as long as possible, hoping against hope that the ship would call on the way, so I could write to you directly from St David’s but alas this was not meant to be.
However, I have written the whole of this letter by candlelight, since the electric light went out shortly before sunset. Our captain says that Bermuda will soon be upon us, and if we continue in such good weather we should make it safely on Monday morning.
I hope you are enjoying the trip; how is your mother taking the journey? Is she still having difficulty sleeping, or does she find sleep easier on deck at night? I do hope we shall be at St. David’s by Monday—I shall be so glad to see you!
You may not know that we have a new member of the crew aboard, Mr. James Wiggin, whom you will remember from school days. He seems to be doing quite well, though he has been rather downcast ever since he heard we would not reach Bermuda by Sunday evening. He was always one of the jolliest fellows at school, and I hope he may recover his spirits soon.
Love to Uncle Tom and Aunt Sarah,
Your affectionate cousin,
George
***
Dear Georgina,
We are now in sight of the coast of Bermuda. How very different everything looks from here—the town is a small cluster of houses along the beach and beyond it stretches a sandy bay. At last I shall see my darling niece, although I fear she may be tired and pale after her voyage, as I am myself.
If you will give me an hour after breakfast tomorrow (Thursday), I shall meet you here in front of the hotel, in the shade of the palm trees, to tell you how things stand with regard to a room for you at the Hotel Royal.
Do you think you will come to me tomorrow? Or perhaps I ought to wait until we have settled on a room and made arrangements for your luggage? Whatever the case, I will send word by telegraph when the time is right.
Goodbye for now, dearest niece, and thank you so much for being here at St. David’s when we arrive.
George.
***
St. David’s, Bermuda
May 9, 1879
My Dear Cousin,
I am sorry you are too ill to come to me today. I was really looking forward to seeing you—and I suppose I cannot expect any better luck than to have arrived just after you had left for England. Still, I do hope you will feel strong enough to join me in the carriage after lunch, and then we shall go up to town together.
Perhaps you are feeling better already? I certainly hope so. If not, it is important that you should see me at once and let me decide what to do about your room.
With all my love,
Georgina
***
Dear Cousin Georgie,
This is the worst day imaginable for you to come to St. David’s—and I must confess that it was my idea to come early. After all, you are supposed to be on vacation—so why did I not say that you were welcome anytime? The fact is that I thought the sooner you began to enjoy yourself, the better it would be for both of us.
Please forgive me for having said you were too ill to come to me; I only wished you would not be too tired to enjoy yourself after traveling so far. I realize now how mistaken I was—I am truly sorry. Please try not to be annoyed with me—and if you have not had enough sleep yet, don’t worry—we can stay longer at the hotel tomorrow.
Your Cousin Georgina
***
St. David’s, Bermuda
May 10, 1879
Dearest Georgie,
I am very happy to hear that you have come to Bermuda, and I am sure you will like it much. I am afraid it is no secret that you have been disappointed in our visit to St. David’s; nevertheless, you have been very kind to me all these years and I wish to show my appreciation. As soon as possible I will arrange for some suitable rooms so that you need not suffer any inconvenience while you remain here.
It is unfortunate that I will not be able to spend time with you before dinner, but I am sure you will find my wife very pleasant company. I know you will appreciate the fact that she is so knowledgeable about English history and customs.
It is also worth noting that she has read several novels by Jane Austen (including Northanger Abbey) and even knows how to play chess—something of interest to someone like you who enjoys both literature and games.
Goodbye,
Georgina
***
Cousin Georgina,
Thank you so much for accepting my apology so promptly. You are a true lady and a perfect model for your niece, Miss Eliza. It is always a pleasure to speak with you, and I am very much looking forward to meeting Mrs. Collins later this afternoon.
As for your invitation to join you and Mr. Collins for dinner tonight, I am honored by the invitation but must respectfully decline, since my dear uncle requires me to dine with him in his suite. In any event, I am certain that your table conversation is likely to be more interesting than anything which might transpire between your uncle and me.
In addition to my own interests, I have long had a great desire to learn more about American politics and current events. I believe I could greatly benefit from conversing with you about these matters.
Goodbye for now,
George
The End