2005. RB to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 11, 38–39.
[London]
Wednesday Mg. [Postmark: 20 August 1845]
Mauvaise, [1] mauvaise, mauvaise, you know as I know, just as much, that your kindness & considerateness consisted,—not in putting off tuesday for another day, but in caring for my coming at all,—for my coming and being told at the door that you were engaged, and I, might call another time. And you are not, not [2] my “other friend,” any more than this head of mine is my other head, seeing that I have got a violin which has a head too! All which, beware lest you get fully told in the letter I will write this evening, when I have done with my Romans—who are, it so happens, here at this minute,—that is, have left the house for a few minutes with my sister—but are not “with me,” as you seem to understand it,—in the house to stay. They were kind to me in Rome, (husband & wife,) and I am bound to be of what use I may during their short stay. Let me lose no time in begging & praying you to cry “hands off” to that dreadful Burgess; have not I got a .. but I will tell you to-night—or on Friday which is my day, please– Friday,—Till when, pray believe me,
With respect and esteem,
Your most obliged
and disobliged at these blank endings—what have I done? God bless you ever dearest friend.
Address: Miss Barrett, / 50 Wimpole St
Postmark: 8NT8 AU20 1845 H.
Docket, in EBB’s hand: 43.
Publication: RB-EBB, p. 164.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. “Wrong.”
2. RB has underscored each “not” three times.
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