2953. RB to Thomas Noon Talfourd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 17, 111–112.
26 Devonshire St
Sept 23. ’51.
My dear Talfourd—(as I know your kindheartedness will suffer me to call you)—I can hardly be sorry at the mistake, tho’ abundantly painful to me, which has drawn from you such a letter as puts an end to all such pain once & forever. But you must understand me, and not be very angry that the fear (however groundless) of having dropped from whatever cause from that place in your esteem which I prized so much, discomposed the ordinarily clearer sight I seem to have of persons & things. Had I but obliged you once, for your thousand goodnesses to me, I should have been sure of your old feeling—but I have not even that “once” to refer to,—and why should you not have simply discontinued to care about me? That such is not the case,—however rationally one might have apprehended it,—this, do believe me, will send me comparatively rejoicing across the channel to-morrow—which else I should cross with unmixed regret. My wife sympathizes in all this,—and is besides, gratified and grateful at your special notice of herself– I have said something of this, for us both, to Lady Talfourd—but I could not go without this one word to your old friendship.
Ever yours faithfully & thankfully,
Robert Browning.
Address: Mr Justice Talfourd, / Russell Square.
Publication: NL, pp. 50–51.
Manuscript: Huntington Library.
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