2575. RB to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 13, 326–327.
[London]
Wednesday Mg [Postmark: 2 September 1846]
Poor Flush—how sorry I am for you, my Ba! But you will recover him, I dare say .. not, perhaps, directly,—the delay seems to justify their charge at the end: poor fellow—was he no better than the rest of us, and did all that barking and fanciful valour spend itself on such enemies as Mr Kenyon and myself, leaving only blandness and waggings of the tail for the man with the bag? I am sure you are grieved and frightened for our friend and follower, that was to be, at Pisa—will you not write a special note to tell me when you get him again?
For the rest—I will urge you no more by a single word—you shall arrange every thing henceforward without a desire on my part,—an expressed one at least. Do not let our happiness be caught up from us, after poor Flush’s fashion—there may be no redemption from that peril.
There can hardly be another way of carrying our purpose into effect than by that arrangement you consent to—except you chose to sacrifice a day and incur all sorts of risk. Of course, the whole in the way and with the conditions that you shall determine.
Do you think, Ba, I apprehend nothing from the excitement and exhaustion attendant in it? I altogether apprehend it,—and am therefore the more anxious that no greater difficulty should be superinduced than is absolutely necessary. Because the first part of our adventure will be dangerous in that way, I want the second part to be as safe as possible in another. I should care comparatively little about winter-travelling, even,—(knowing that one can take precautions)—if it were to be undertaken under really propitious circumstances, and you set forth with so much kindness to carry away as would keep you warm for a week or two—but the “winter wind that is not so unkind as &c”, [1] may prove,—by adding its share of unkindness to the greater,—intolerable. Now, my last word is said, however—and a kiss follows!
I thank you, dearest, for your enquiries about my mother,—and for the sympathy, and proposal of delay. She is better this morning, I hope. From the time that my sister went to Town, [2] she discontinued the exercise which does her such evident good—and on Monday the walks began again—with no great effect yesterday because of the dull weather and sharp wind .. she kept at home—but this morning she is abroad, and will profit by this sunshine, I hope– My head will not get quite well, neither– I take both effects to be caused by the turn of the year.
Bless you, dearest. I cannot but acquiesce in your postponing our day for such reasons. Only, do not misconceive those few foolish words of impatience .. a great matter to bear truly! I shall be punished indeed if they prevent you from according to me one hour I should have otherwise possessed.
Bless you once again, my Ba[.]
RB
My mother is returned—very much better indeed. Remember Flush—to write.
Address: Miss Barrett, / 50. Wimpole St.
Postmark: 8NT8 SP2 1846 A.
Publication: RB-EBB, pp. 1033–34.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. As You Like It, II, 7, 174–176.
2. Sarianna had gone to stay with the Arnoulds on 24 August (see letter 2556).
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