Correspondence

1235.5.  RB to Rachel Talfourd

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 7.

[London]

May 7. 1843.

My dear Mrs Talfourd,

May I ask—(& your constant kindness for years past makes me hope that I may—) if something have not happened to lose me your—or, perhaps, some part of your family’s—old regard—which as I never deserved in the beginning, so I am quite ignorant why I should forfeit now.

Two or three incidents, trifling enough except on such a matter,—coupled with the style & form of the invitation just received, lead me to conjecture that such is the case: and I do earnestly beg you to tell me, what otherwise I am little likely ever to find out,—in real justice to your own goodness which, I repeat, beginning without a cause in me,—should not, surely, end after the same fashion. If all this be a pure misconception, I shall cheerfully accept the stupidity of it along with the joy of feeling that I remain—or rather, assure you that I remain—

Yours ever faithfully,

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library, Michael Meredith Collection.

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