4575. EBB to William Wetmore Story & Emelyn Story

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 140.

[Rome]

[?16 January 1860] [1]

I write so late, dear friends, to ask you to come tomorrow instead of today, because your news made me feel better than I had done all day– But the betterness does not last—it will not be much, I am sure—but really I am only fit to go to bed now & could not enjoy you as I hope to do tomorrow.

Robert could go to explain this, but his cold has kept him all day besides yesterday at home.

Affectionately yours

EBB–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Dartmouth College.

1. Conjectural date suggested by EBB’s references to her being unwell and to RB’s cold. In letter 4582, EBB tells Isa that she had been “very unwell” and confined to bed for a week. EBB’s comments here and RB’s in letter 4580 indicate that her illness had only begun.

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