‘One day Natalie stopped into a London bookstore, Bodley Head, and purchased two books: Henry Wharton’s 1885 translation of Sappho, which quickly became Pauline’s favorite bedtime reading, and Opals, a first volume of poetry by a young Englishwoman named Olive Custance. Natalie enjoyed Opals, which she felt had sapphic overtones. Sensing a kindred spirit, she sent Custance an appreciative letter, along with a copy of Quelques portraits-sonnets de femmes. The rapidity of Custance’s reply inspired Natalie to try turning a long-cherished idea into reality. For years she had nursed the vision of forming a group of women poets for mutual inspiration. With herself, Eva, and Pauline she already had three muses; Custance could be a fourth. She wrote the Englishwoman again, sharing her idea and inviting her to Paris. Olive’s reply was enthusiastic.’
— Suzanne Rodriguez, Wild Heart: A Life (2002)
