2870. RB to Arabella Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 171–172.
Florence,
July 30, ’50.
My dear Arabel–
Another vexation for Ba! she was, it is supposed, two months advanced toward confinement, and apparently quite well—we took every precaution—she kept the house for the last six weeks, and scarcely ever left the room or, indeed the sofa. And yet, spite of all our pains, she became unwell a week ago, and on Sunday Mg a miscarriage took place: she perhaps suffered more than on previous occasions—but we had the best medical aid, and yesterday morning she was very much better—all day & night the improvement continued; and to-day she is most satisfactorily progressing—takes nourishment & sleeps. The doctor hopes that in a fortnight we may be able to go into the country, where the change of air will soon restore her to health. (I had all but engaged the house the day before she was taken ill.) Let this reconcile you to our not having attempted the journey to England this summer, as we should, I dare say, had our finances allowed it—for imagine such an accident happening on the road, perhaps miles away from a house, not to say a town!—and without the promptest of remedies the effect might be most disastrous– Of Ba and her perfection of patience & goodness I shall not attempt to say anything—we are more & more satisfied with Dr Harding,—who takes a real interest in her– Dear Wilson, too, has been of every assistance. Very fortunately, the weather has grown delightfully cool with rain.
July 31 / Ba has past a very good night,—is very much better– There is nothing to apprehend, and I trust that <ere> many days she will be comfortably installed in our little villa [1] which is described as cool, situated on a hill, “with meadow surrounded by cypresses”– Italian, is it not? She sends meanwhile her most affectionate love to you & Henrietta. I shall leave to your discretion the communication of this letter to her, or part of it. Our boy, (for he is clearly past babyhood,) is perfectly well. Ba fancied he looked pale some time ago—but surely that was a gentle drawback for a child with six or eight teeth coming at once—two double ones on the same side were out last week and the others are to be seen & felt—it is wonderful that he suffers so little. He is strong as a colt, runs up & down and round & about from morning to night and every now & then orders me off, in the most tyrannic style, to follow him into nooks & corners. Woe be to us if we don’t go to dinner, or coffee, for instance, the moment he has pulled our coats or gowns and pointed to the next room where he has seen the preparations—if we are obstinate, he stamps, & wrings his hands that the world should be going so wrong! He is strangely backward in speaking—or in choosing to speak—for he can, if he will, say words—thus he said “pappa” this morning, when asked if he had not had it for breakfast (pap)—and yesterday repeated the word “povero” [2] —but he makes himself so well understood by nods & signs & inarticulate cries, that, I suppose, he sees no use in further efforts. Ba will send you a curl of his pretty light brown hair—much lighter than what we sent once.
Ba says she shall give you letters enough the moment she is able—yours are always a perfect delight to her, so be as beneficent for your part. I shall write to you in a few days to tell you how she is advancing—and who knows but she may add a line or two herself? In any case, rely upon it that I have told you all there is to tell—that I have no sort of apprehension, beyond the inconvenience of a little weakness for some short time to come– Also, that should there be any change or reason I would write directly—but there will not be, in all probability. And so good bye & God bless you, dear Arabel– Don’t fear, once again,—there is no need whatever.
Yours most affectionately,
Robt Browning.
Address: Miss Barrett, / 50 Wimpole St
Publication: EBB-AB, I, 331–332.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
1. At Vallombrosa; see the preceding letter.
2. “Poor,” or, as a noun, “poor person” or “poor thing.”
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