3080. EBB to Euphrasia Fanny Haworth

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 185–186.

58 Welbeck street

Thursday– [Postmark: 5 August 1852]

I did not receive your note till yesterday– Then came the rain– So that I [1] could not write about the somnambule [2] & you could not keep your appointment.

I write to explain my side of the question, dearest Fanny, lest you should set me down as a monster of ingratitude.

This morning Mr Kenyon had arranged to carry me to see you, when the horrible weather unchains my cough at me & frightens Robert out of letting me go. So now I must write to thank you again & again for your most kind & useful present—you see I have ‘put my foot in it’ & must love you–

Only, .. did you mean that the pretty, pretty shoes are to be worn over ordinary ones? In that case, the compliment is too great, & the gift-shoes too small. They fit me exactly, but must be worn with stockings simply!

Robert would not have let me go to the somnambule, so I could only have written a “no” to you if I had had an opportunity of writing–

Am I to see you before you go? I do hope so—and then I will try to call you ‘Fanny’ face to face–

In every case your sincerely affectionate

Ba.

I want to know about the somnambule—you must tell me.

Address: Miss Haworth– / 45. Onslow Square / Brompton.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.

1. Underscored twice.

2. Unidentified.

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