2601. RB to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 13, 362–364.
[London]
Monday Mg. [Postmark: 14 September 1846]
You go on to comfort me, love—bless you for it. I collect from the letter that you are recovering from the pain & excitement: that is happy! I waited to hear from you, my own Ba, and will only write a word—then go out—I think.
Do you feel so, thro’ the anxieties and trouble of this situation? You take my words from me– I “exult” in the irrevocability of this precious bestowal of yourself on me: come what will, my life has borne flower, and fruit—it is a glorious, successful, felicitous life, I thank God and you!
All has been for the best, you will see, even in these apparently untoward circumstances: this particular act was precipitated by them, certainly—but it is done, and well done. Does it not simplify our arrangements that this is done? And surely there was every justification for the precipitancy in that proposed journey, and uncertain return,—(in winter, to a freshly-painted house!) But every moment of my life brings fresh proof to me of the intervention of Providence. How the natural course would have embarrassed us! .. any consultation with you respecting your own feelings on a removal at present .. any desire to gratify them ..
Will not Mr Kenyon understand, at least? Would it not be well to ascertain his precise address in the country,—so as to send your letter there, before the newspaper reaches him,—or any other person’s version? I will send you my letter to accompany yours—just a few words to explain why he was not consulted—(by me) .. what is strictly, my own part to be excused. What do you intend to do about Mrs Jameson? I only want to know in the case of our mutual friends, of course, so as to avoid the necessity of going over the same ground in our letters.
I confided my approaching marriage to that kind old Pritchard, lest he should be too much wounded .. if his surprise was considerable, his delight kept due proportion– You may depend on his secrecy: I need not say, I mentioned the fact simply .. without a word about any circumstances. If your father could be brought to allow the matter to pass as indifferent to him .. what he did not choose to interfere with, However little he approved it,—we should be fortunate! Perhaps pride, if no kinder feeling, may induce him to that.
My family all love you, dearest– You cannot conceive my father & mother’s childlike faith in goodness—and my sister is very high spirited, and quick of apprehension—so as to seize the true points of the case at once– I am in great hopes you will love them all, and understand them. Last night, I asked my father, who was absorbed over some old book, “if he should not be glad to see his new daughter”—to which he, starting, replied “Indeed I shall!” with such a fervor as to make my mother laugh—not abated by his adding, “And how I should be glad of her seeing Sis!”—his other daughter, Sarianna, to wit—who was at church.
Trifles, trifles, only commended to your dear, affectionate heart—do you confide in me, Ba? Well, you shall!—in my love, in my pride, in my heart’s purposes; but not in anything else. —Give me your counsel at all times, beloved: I am wholly open to your desires, and teaching, and direction– Try what you can make of me,—if you can in any way justify your choice to the world. So I would gladly counsel you on any point! See how I read lectures about Flush! Only, give a kiss before beginning, and promise me another upon my profitting,—and I shall be twice blessed beside the profit. So, my counsel being done, here begin the kisses, you dear dear Ba of mine– Bless you ever, Ba! I continue quite well—is it not strange .. or is it? And my mother is better decidedly—when she comes back from Town (where she & my sister are caring for me) I will tell her what you bade me promise to give her—in return for what she has long given you. Good bye, my own—very own Ba, from your
RB
Address: Miss Barrett, / 50. Wimpole Street.
Postmark: 8NT8 SP14 1846 O.
Publication: RB-EBB, pp. 1069–70.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
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