Correspondence

2592.  EBB to RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 13, 351–352.

[London]

Tuesday evening. [8 September 1846] [1]

I write a word to say, .. dearest, do not run any risk about coming tomorrow– I mean, .. unless you are sure that the noise & exertion will not be too much for you, .. unless, when the moment comes for setting off, you feel equal to it .. now, I do beseech you, very dear, not to persist in coming because you have said that you will come—I beseech you. Listen– At three oclock I shall expect you doubtfully; at half past three, the doubt will be the strongest; & at a quarter to four, I shall have said to myself cheerfully, that you were wise & good & had determined to stay at home– In that case, I shall have a line from you by five & six! Understand all this, & let it have the right influence & no more. Of course if I could see you without harm to yourself, & so to me, it would be a great happiness: it even makes me happy to think of, as a bare possibility, at this distance off!– I am happy by your letter, twice over, indeed—once, for that reason, .. & again, for the thought of your being in some respects, better. At the same time I do not see why your wise man did not follow his plan to the end– It looks as if he did not think you better essentially because of it– Ah well,—I shall see with my eyes tomorrow—perhaps I shall: and I shall see in a dream tonight more certainly–

This shall go at once, though, that it may reach you in time in the morning– How I thank you for the precious note!– You are so much too good to me, that your being also too dear is an excusable consequence—or would be, if it were possible. I write nonsense I believe,—but it is half for gladness,—& half .. for what makes me your own

Ba–

Address: Robert Browning Esqre / New Cross / Hatcham / Surrey.

Postmark: 10FN10 SP9 1846 A.

Dockets, in RB’s hand: <27>2.; <+ We>dnesday Sepr 9 / <3>–5¾p.m. (89.) [sic, for 90].

Publication: RB-EBB, pp. 1056–57.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Date provided by postmark.

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