DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. T.L.S., Daphne, three pages, 8vo, Menabilly, Par, Cornwall, 20th June 1961, to 'My dear' (Foy Quiller-Couch). Du Maurier apologises for disturbing her friend and sends a list of questions (no longer present) from the publishers Dent, commenting 'The first 3 concern your father's part of the m.s. I have checked with his original (handwritten) and “purcelled” is there all right. Is it perhaps Cornish? Likewise “list-shot”? I must admit I have never heard of either before. As to the query about Castle Dor and the runaway horses, this seems to me silly, and the reader obviously imagines the earth-work like a cirque on the top of a mountain, with the races going on in some valley far below. I propose to dismiss this query, with your approval. And as to the doctor being late, naturally no one sent in to Troy for him, he happened to be passing, that's obvious. To satisfy the nit-wit reader I can interpose a remark from the doctor saying “Lucky I was passing”. Would this meet with your approval?'. She further continues 'As to the queries dealing with my own part of the m.s. the ones mentioned on page 222 and 225 shows the reader's lack of perception. There was never any question of “developing romantic relationship” between Amyot and Mary. Mary had growing adolescent feeling, and Amyot was grateful and affectionate for the love of both children. Likewise Johnny's dream. The dream is all part of the strange interplay of legend and Time. The reader must be a bit like Miss Tod I think, with feet on the ground!' Du Maurier concludes by referring to the question of two horses driving a landau and also mentions her husband. About EX

Foy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. Some years previously the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses.

Castle Dor is a historical novel which was not completed by Arthur Quiller-Couch at the time of his death. Du Maurier completed the work, at the request of Foy Quiller-Couch, which was published in 1961. The story is based around the legend of Tristan and Iseult, although set in 19th century Cornwall.