1583. EBB to John Kenyon

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 278–279.

[London]

Friday. [?29] [March 1844] [1]

My dear cousin, If you have not received my letter, which I wrote directly on receiving your last note, [2] you must be the angel Gabriel himself to think of coming to see me at all.

I have rung the bell to ask about it. I wrote instantly—& desired the note to be taken to you instantly—and yet, from the way you speak, my mind misgives me that you cannot have received it.

I told you of the proofs in it—how they came, partly in a wrong type,—& were sent back in a hurry: and I dare say I shall have them again today.

Come as soon as you like to come—& the sooner, the better for me.

But this note— They say it was taken,—and “given to a woman”. Do ask for it— It was a recantation of everything which cd have vexed you—& a deep repentance! [3] What can you have been thinking of me all this time? What can you be secretly thinking now!!

If you had acted by me as I have seemed to act by you, I am sure I shd not talk of going to see you–

Ever affectionately yours

EBB–

The letter was sent by Creuse the water-carrier—the want of a man-servant just now obliging that. But he had been, he said, again & again at your house,—& knows it well,—& “Gave it to a woman” at the door.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. EBB’s “recantation” and “deep repentance” suggest that this letter follows shortly after no. 1571, in which EBB said she would rather not print “The Dead Pan” than to accept changes to it.

2. Doubtless one of the letters in the collection of Aurelia Brooks Harlan, to which we have been denied access (see List of Absent Letters).

3. For the expressions contained in letter 1571.

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