5054. RB to Katherine Lyell

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 68–69.

1. Chichester Road,

Upper Westbourne Terrace.

Apr. 16. ’62

Dear Mrs Lyell, [1]

It goes to my heart to have to decline, however unavoidably, such kindness as yours—shown in so pleasant a form. On Thursday afternoon takes place Robert’s music-lesson,—a solemnity,—and on Saturday he goes to dine with the family of Mrs Sartoris: very disappointed he is, I assure you, at what there is no helping—but your goodness will remember him another time.

May I beg to apologize to Col. Lyell for the delay in doing myself the honor & pleasure of returning his call? I have been forced on the sudden to look out for another house—indeed to take one of my own,—and that is only done this morning—promising me plenty of the embar[r]assments I like least for the next few weeks: but I shall find or make time long before then.

Pray believe me Dear Mrs Lyell,

Yours very faithfully

Robert Browning.

Address: Mrs Lyell, / 15. Queen’s Road West / Regent’s Park / N.W.

Publication: None traced.

Source: Transcript in editors’ file.

1. Katherine Murray Lyell (née Horner, 1817–1915); see letter 5024, note 2.

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