3761. EBB to Jane Wills-Sandford

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 22, 177.

[Paris]

[12 April 1856] [1]

I send back the newspaper, dearest Jane .. & it must be with one word of joy at your being here. Not for the world must you run any risk of coming out before your cough is gone. Oh– I have a respect for coughs——

And a love for you, which is more to the purpose– As for me, I am weak with the winter, & have not been out again. But you are there!. safe on the shelf for me!. so I can be patient for a time.

Very glad I am, you liked Penini—yet I was vexed with him that day. He told you “he did not like” his new nurse, which quite pained her & was most untrue & undeserved, for she has been very good & kind to him. After all I believe it was not ingratitude on his part .. but, ever since Wilson was left, he has considered it a point of honor not to love the person who replaced her .. he said he would’nt, & he held up to it really for some time .. & when he saw you first, the old association recurred vividly, & a certain need of justification of his steady affections recurred. Poor Harriet was moved quite to tears however, & I, for my part, thought it right to be severe in lecturing, & Penini confessed that he had been “very naughty indeed, he knew,” .. only he “hoped I would’nt tell papa!” So he was forgiven duly, poor child.

Robert was with the Ristori last night—& she was very fine .. in the Medea.

My kindest regards to your father & sisters–

Ever your affectionate

EBB–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Dated by EBB’s reference to RB’s seeing “Ristori last night … in the Medea.” In letter 3759 EBB indicated that RB attended the play on the night of 11 April.

___________________