I am glad after weeks of absence and silence to be able to write to you.
... I have been very ill, but I am better, in good spirits, and quite deter-
mined, as I am sure you know, to remain here to the end of the term
imposed. ... It is a great joy and support to me to know that although I
am withdrawn from active work for a time you are working harder than
ever. ... In all you are doing my heart is with you.^26To militants within the prison also, especially those young women in prison
for the first time, Emmeline offered encouragement whenever possible. ‘Mrs
Pankhurst was absolutely lovely to me in Holloway’, wrote Kathleen Brown to
Una Dugdale, ‘whenever she could she spoke to me – or pressed my hand.’^27
Gradually, a few more meagre concessions were granted by the authorities to the
Union leader and her daughter, including the delivery of two newspapers daily,
permission for which was obtained through the efforts of Keir Hardie.^28 ‘Mother
& Christabel were in good spirits when I saw them on Tuesday last’, Sylvia
informed Elizabeth Robins on 26 November 1908.^29 Such fortitude brought
forth admiration from many, including Emmeline’s old friend and mentor,
Ursula Bright, now confined to a wheelchair. The action of the militants seems
to have rekindled her interest in the women’s movement, from which she had
withdrawn following her husband’s death.^30
Preparations were well in hand for the celebrations to mark the release of
Christabel and Emmeline on 22 December and 9 January, respectively, when
unexpectedly, the government released both women, and Mary Leigh, on
Saturday, 19 December. A grateful Constance Lytton, who had now joined the
WSPU, immediately wrote to Gladstone thanking him for this ‘delightful Xmas
box’; Clement’s Inn ‘was alive with joy’ at the unexpected news.^31 The welcome
breakfast held on the 22nd at the Inns of Court Hotel, decorated with ever-
greens and the banners and flags of the Union, was a rapturous occasion. When
Emmeline rose to speak to the 500 women and men present, there were loud
cheers followed by the singing of ‘Rule Britannia’.^32 After breakfast, a colourful
procession of about 200 Union members marched through the West End,
passing through crowds of sightseers who were unusually silent. In front walked
Charlotte Marsh, carrying a tricolour, after which Emmeline Pethick Lawrence,
Flora Drummond, the Kenney sisters and the Union organisers led the way in
front of a band. A number of WSPU members, wearing the Union colours,
followed, marching four abreast, together with five members mounted on white
steeds led by cockaded grooms. Then came the flower-decked wagonette, drawn
by four white horses, with a banner inscribed ‘To Victory’, bearing Emmeline,
Christabel and Mary Leigh. Closing the spectacle was a decorated motor car.
When the procession travelled through Holborn and along Oxford Street the
bands struck up the Marseillaise and ‘See the conquering hero comes’.^33
That evening, at an enthusiastic meeting attended by thousands in the
Queen’s Hall, the Union’s colours were again evident not only in the decora-
tions, but also in the clothes worn by those seated on the platform; while the
EMMELINE AND CHRISTABEL