2559. EBB to RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 13, 293–294.

[London]

Tuesday– six. pm [25 August 1846] [1]

I have just had a note from Mr Kenyon, who, after his absence at Richmond, promises to come & see me on thursday afternoon. Now—would it be quite “unco guid” [2] of us .. & wise “above what is written” [3] (in your letter) if we put off our day to friday, & gave me the power to answer to Mr Kenyon’s certain question, .. “No, I have not seen him since I saw you.”? If you think it would be wise, my own dearest, why do not come tomorrow,—do not come till friday. See, today is tuesday, & only two days more will intervene,—& we are agreed on the necessity of prudence for the coming weeks—particularly when my brothers have nothing particular to do, at this time of vacation, but to watch us on all sides– I am so nervous that my own footsteps startle me. But quite well I am, & you shall not have fancies about me—as to strength, I mean—as to what I cannot do, bear, & the like.

Tonight I shall write a letter as usual– This is a bare line, which Henrietta will throw into the post, to speak to you of tomorrow– The letter follows.

How I miss you, & long for friday– If you have an engagement for friday, there is saturday. ‘Understand’ .. as you say, & I repeat–

Tonight I will tell you where I went today.

Your own I am always–

Address: Robert Browning Esqre / New Cross / Hatcham / Surrey.

Postmark: 1846 AU26 8Mg8 B.

Docket, in RB’s hand: 256.

Publication: RB-EBB, p. 1000.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Date provided by postmark.

2. An allusion to “Address to the Unco Guid, or the Rigidly Righteous” (1787), by Robert Burns.

3. Cf. I Corinthians 4:6.

___________________