3357. EBB to Emelyn Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 138–139.
[Rome]
[ca. 15 March 1854] [1]
I am grieved for you dearest Emelyn, that you should be forced into doing anything contrary to your feelings on this subject, but you cannot be surprised at the fever returning as it was obvious the persistance of it was the price to be paid for remaining in Rome. It is clearly too heavy a price—you have a treasure left to you, and to keep it must be after all the first object & desire with you both. For my part I do think & have long thought that it required more real courage & energy to have to stand by and count the days & know by the striking of the clock the certain approach of this terrible suffering to the poor passive darling, than to undertake actively the most painful & uncongenial of journeys– When you are gone you will begin to rejoice at going, & you will take heart again in the re-blooming of the dear pale cheeks– Our duties & our happiness are identical things oftener than we can discern perhaps. I speak in deep sympathy—I have felt & feel for you, as God knows.
As for the carriage, thank you, but I am not inclined to go out today, neither Robert nor I being very well, as his note will have told you. Indeed he has a terrible headache & has been going through a mere form of breakfast–
It’s disinterested virtue on our part to approve of your going away. You dont say if Edith’s attack was severe or not .. & I am half afraid .. by what you seem to imply. Robert will try to get to you as soon as he can, so as to hear the particulars–
Your affectionate
EBB–
Publication: BAF, pp. 23–24.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. Dated by EBB’s reference to the Storys’ impending departure from Rome. In letter 3377 RB writes that he was called to Velletri a week after the Storys arrived there. In letter 3361 EBB indicates that he could have left for Velletri on either 20, 21, or 22 March 1854. But RB was in Rome on 20 March and still there at four o’clock on the afternoon of the 21st (see letter 3363), leading us to conclude that he left for Velletri on the morning of the 22nd, which would place the Story’s arrival there on or about 15 March.
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