Talk:CP 02902/en

Changes made by Yorktaylors:

which had broken me -> which left me shattered

• We were tossing up "broken" and "shattered". We agree that "shattered" is more natural in this context (Nstrole)

I am able to have guests -> would be able

the marvellous work of your brother -> your brother's dazzling book (the phrase is quoted in note 1, so needs to be the same)

we are less hurried for -> we are in less of a hurry for

Deep down, the polite habit of responding with “I have received your letter on” is very reassuring -> In the end, the businesslike formality of "I have received your letter of the" is comfortably reassuring (Larousse - honorée : dans la correpondance commerciale, lettre reçue)

• We thought "du" was referring to the date the letter was received (e.g. "j'ai reçu votre lettre / honorée du 30 janvier" -> "I received your letter on / from the..."). What is "of the" referring to in your modified translation? (Nstrole)
• My understanding is that he is rebuking Lucien for not replying to his letter. As in - I would rather have a polite acknowledgement than have to wait for a beautiful letter. Even the cold formality of "We received your letter of the nth inst" is more reassuring.

Changed to: But we are less eager for something we can admire than for a few words of politeness. [...] When all is said and done, the businesslike formality of “I have received your letter of the...” is comfortably reassuring. (Yorktaylors)

• Now changed to -> If nothing else, the business formula “I have received your communication of” is reassuring enough. (Yorktaylors)

let me kiss you tenderly -> embrace you (we know they had been lovers but I think kiss tenderly would be too explicit)

• Agreed! (Nstrole)

n.1 - dates from the end -> dates from about the end

volume -> book

As she proceeds from -> As it predates by

n.2 Journal of family and war -> leave untranslated

asked Proust to come and see him -> proposed visiting Proust

n.3 and subsequent notes completed

• Merci ! (Nstrole)