3642. EBB to Arabella Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 285–286.
13. Dorset St
Tuesday. [Postmark: 2 October 1855]
My ever dearest Arabel, It shall be as you & my Peni like. It’s dreadful to have to wait till monday—but still, it will be good for him, I dare say, and you will care to keep him, through love for him & me. So let it be as he pleases & as you please. Only dont force him into staying—& dont miss (for love’s sake) writing a line to me every day, to let me know how he gets on. And, dearest, dont teaze him about writing—he has to give too much attention to the mechanical part, (when he has much play in hand—) for the writing. But ask him to dictate a letter to me which you could send in your own pen-and-ink. I should like that, I own. My precious Peni–
Think of my wickedness yesterday in writing you a letter about everything but what you & George wanted to know– Dearest Arabel, we would do what we could—but see!—we dont go through Amiens: we take the express-train, which carries us to Paris in eleven hours & stops no-where. Altogether .. we are apt to leave our own boxes behind us, & are scarcely trustworthy. Therefore it would be better if somebody else could be found to do the business– Nevertheless, I repeat, what we can do we are ready to do, of course–
There’s a letter from Henrietta today who seems to be going on well. Think of Bummy having written to papa to speak of her visit to Wilton, & of the “ladylike” (!!!) manner of Henrietta’s life, & of her happiness except in the single point of his forgiveness .. all very kindly & unavailingly meant. Altham & Mary are both quite well.
Ros[s]etti is going to take a sketch of Robert preparatory to a picture next year [1] —& it was settled that he should do the same by me, but I hope & trust I have succeeded in begging off till 1856 when I shall be a year younger—& that will be rather an advantage.
Mr Forster’s dinner is put off to thursday. Tennyson has left London of course,—without keeping his promise of coming to teach me the meaning of his “Brook.” [2] I am glad he has written with this pen of mine; & I think I shall write to his wife to tell her how deeply he gratified us altogether. Oh– I do wish you could have heard him read. It was like articulated music. Did you tell George?– Tell him that Tennyson spoke to us of “Venables’s hatred of Maud” quite pathetically.
Wilson goes tomorrow, & I shall be glad when she is fairly gone .. <to free Orestes bones>! [3] She has been very good in beginning our packing, & preparing & setting in order. If Penini does’nt return to us before monday, he will have only a day in London intermediately to the further travelling. You send us delightful news of his appetite. May God keep my treasure!
Henrietta directed a letter wrong to Arlette, & it was returned to her from the Dead letter Office. Is it not a pity that Arlette does not stay longer at Eastbourne? The railroad travelling for three hours is so simple a thing– Robert misses Peni about as much, I think, as I do. It’s the bird of the house fled! Great lamentations also come up from the lower regions– Best love to dear George & Henry & all of them– How good they are to Penini!– Arabel, I want to know how you are. I must know.
How I miss you dear, dearest Arabel! I shall always think tenderly of the risk you ran for me, in coming to London!
Your own attached
Ba.
Robert’s very best love. He does love you. I am glad Peni longs for us at moments,—after all!–
I am vexed about the Hedleys. Still the Paris scheme remains. I dont give you up. You must say that you have a “friend” who will receive you while you are there—& Papa wont object by a word, I feel sure.
Address: Miss Barrett / 12. Cornfield Terrace / Eastbourne.
Publication: EBB-AB, II, 176–178.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
2. “The Brook; An Idyl” was first published in Maud, and Other Poems (1855).
3. The passage in angle brackets is reconstructed, having been obliterated after receipt, probably by Arabella. Apart from the obvious reference to the birth of Wilson’s son, EBB alludes to the mythological account of the Lacedemonians being instructed by an oracle to bring Orestes’ bones from Arcadia to Sparta after his death.
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