line [del] to acknowledge the safe receipt of the
proofs?
[90, Gloucester Place,
Portman Square. W.
London
Augt 6th 1877
Dear Mr Collette,
I hear by a letter from
Neville, received this morning,
that your engagement is
not completed yet --- although
he has put off his "opening"
to suit your convenience.
If you had told me,
when I had the pleasure of
seeing you here, that you
would not accept the part
without first reading the
piece, some time and
trouble might have been
saved. As it is, I
of course hasten to send
you the only copy of
the piece that I possess.
It is in rough proof, with
intended for the printers' eye.
But everything must give
way to the absolute necessity of
settling the "cast" at once.
I must beg you /will/ consider
the proofs herewith sent to you,
as in every respect representing
a private and confidential letter.
I shall also be obliged if you
will kindly let me have them
back at your earliest convenience.
The part which [del: it] is
offered to you is "Sergeant Cuff"
(the detective policeman of the novel).
Very truly yours
Wilkie Collins
Charles Collette Esqr
