Correspondence

545.  EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 202–203.

[London]

Monday morning. [December 1836] [1]

My dear Mr Boyd,

I do not know if you will think it a “sufficient reason” for not going to see you that I did not feel at all well—all the latter part of last week; and in the case that you do not, I may as well say that I did not fix any particular time with Annie for my visit to you—merely telling her that I meant to pay it soon.

Arabel & I had determined to pay it this morning; but last night Papa appeared displeased that we had not been to see some relatives of ours and particular friends of his, who were under affliction. They live at some distance from us, & we are obliged to spend a great part of today in visiting them. [2] Tomorrow brings with it the prayer meeting; but on Wednesday, if it is a fine day, we shall be happy to dine at your house & stay till eight oclock or a little later—unless it is really your wish [3] that we should “stay away altogether”. In that case, will you write a line or a word? If I do not hear, I will venture to go. Suffer me to say on my side, that your injustice is not always very kind, & that “we have been served too often in this manner”.

I did not receive your note until late on Saturday. After all, I remain

Your affectionate friend

E B Barrett.

Address, on integral page: H S Boyd Esqr / 3 Circus Road / St. John’s Wood.

Publication: EBB-HSB, p. 221.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. The context places this letter shortly after Annie’s visit mentioned in letter 544.

2. There are no references in the secondary correspondence to clarify this remark, but the relatives in question were probably the Bayfords, who lived in Chelsea.

3. Underscored three times.

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