Letter from Hélène Bricka, White Lodge, Richmond Park, to Dr. William Baldwin, 1897 August 16 : autograph manuscript signed.

Relating news of the health of the Duchess of Teck after a visit by her daughter, the Duchess of York and her children; saying "The House seems very empty without them!! H.R.H. asked me if you said anything to me, so I merely said that you were hurt that she never sent for you but that you never spoke to me or to anyone about her health. Mind you never tell that I told you about Miss F. You must promise me that. It is dangerous to repeat anything, & if I told you that, it was really to save the Duke, who would be the last person to repeat anything. H.R.H. looks pretty well. I don't think the wound is quite healed. I suppose it is all right. A Mrs. Atkinson Clark has lent H.R.H. a house in Northumberland [Belford Hall] & they all go there Monday the 22th [sic]. I was going with them & was looking forward to a good change, unfortunately I hear to day that my oldest sister is very bad & I must go to her. I am sadly disappointed. I hate a long journey, it makes my poor back so bad. I often wonder that Mr. O'Callaghan can't give me anything to relieve this pain, this constant constant ache, like bad lumbago. Never one minute without pain, yet I don't look bad, sleep well, eat well, so I suppose I must go on bearing it a while longer. I may get better...If you see Mrs. Master give her my love. She is a good true friend & often a great comfort to me. I am one of these foolish, over sensitive creatures, an unkind word makes my heart bleed. Such creatures are better out of the world, their sufferings are not understood & what good do they do? Write to me before I leave on the 20."