2845. RB to Henrietta Cook

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 102.

Florence,

Apr. 16, ’50.

My dear Henrietta,

I believe that even Ba, with all her loving heart, cannot wish you more happiness in your new state than I do. I quite believe that you deserve it, and that you have acted wisely & rightly under very difficult circumstances. From the very first of my own married days I looked upon you as Ba’s sister & mine, and I shall never cease to regard your joy or sorrow as my own—but there will be surely much more of the former than the latter, with such a true affectionate heart as yours, resting upon such principles & worth as your husband’s—to whom you will please offer my warmest congratulations on his good fortune, as well as hopes that he will henceforth consider me as his friend & relative. We look forward anxiously for news of you,—but Ba will have said so much on that & other heads as to leave me nothing but the mere opportunity of assuring you, how much I shall ever be, My dear Henrietta,

Yours most affectionately,

Robert Browning.

Publication: TTUL, pp. 78–79.

Manuscript: British Library.

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