3374. EBB to Adelaide Sartoris

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 161.

Via Bocca di Leone 43–

Sunday– [?April] [1854] [1]

My dear Mrs Sartoris,

Mrs Kemble had taught me a little to anticipate the kindness & pleasantness of your proposal, & I was delighting myself in it, when suddenly I find I am too unwell to have so much pleasure tomorrow– I am very, very sorry—but what can be done. Robert will go with you—and I shall stay behind repenting my misfortunes .. the sincerest species of penitence dealt in by our human nature–

Most truly yours always

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Dating based on EBB’s implication that she has been invited on an outing, possibly a picnic. In letter 3420 she states that she had been present at “some five or six” picnics. These took place in April and May 1854.

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