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18 August 1913
13 Princes Street
Cavendish Square, London
Dear Professor Freud,
Thank you deeply for your kind remarks and encouragement.
As to Loe, I am glad to say she is better again of late. When I was down in Wales last week and she was alone she had a kidney attack and took morphia. The pain was on only one occasion. She has some physical pain in her foot, owing to the pressure of the boot on a vein, but is otherwise physical[ly] well. Herbert, who is with her three times a day, is more desperately in love with her than ever, and has no doubt at all about his intentions. She has altruistic qualms about “spoiling a young life” concerned with her age and health, and that seems to be the one conflict at present in her mind. Still she has a good time with him. I take up the benevolent attitude of blessing two happy young lovers, who are always a good sight to look on, and am really happy that Loe, who has suffered so much, should now get something positive out of life. I fancy it will go well with them, for she can do anything in the world when she loves. At the same time I rejoice now to think we are parting, for with all her magnificent character and many charms she has as well a devouring and all-absorbing personality, so that life with her is at the best a strenuous performance, and at the worst, when she does not love, a painfully disagreeable and racking experience.
I hope to settle arrangements about taking a flat in another few days, and if that is the case the installation will be complete before the end of September. Loe has generously offered to pay my expenses for the first three years, until I am “auf sicherem Boden” [on sure ground], but probably that will not be necessary. I began practice last week with the first patient, and hope that will be the prelude to a long medical career in London. By the way, if for any reason you decide not to accept Frau Hoesch-Ernst I should be very glad if you could refer her back to me, for I should be willing to treat