3805. EBB to Arabella Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 22, 250–251.
3. Rue du Colysée.
Tuesday. [Postmark: 24 June 1856]
My ever dearest Arabel, Your letter with its enclosure has set Robert’s & my head spinning,—& what in the world to do is the question. You see, one thing is clear—we must do as exactly as we can—what dear Mr Kenyon wishes– Oh, I am so grieved about him!. There is a delicacy required about his fifty pounds, & the matter of lodgings. He desires that I should put myself in relation with Mrs Collier [1] the new housekeeper in Devonshire Place, in order of course to ascertain when & whether we can remove there. Now will you take my place, & go to her, & speak as one ought to do, & discover the exact state of the case, viz. whether it is expected & would be perfectly convenient for us to arrive there .. & on what nearest day. If we can be received .. say, on saturday or monday .. it would be better to make an effort & get rid of the York St lodgings at as little expense as possible, without our occupying the house at all. The people would sooner let us off if we did not occupy, than if we did,—that is certain– If however Devonshire Place cannot receive us till the end of next week, then we will go for a week from Friday to York Street—only you must write by return of post to render that step possible. And make an agreement with the people to let us off after the week. Still it would be wiser to avoid the double removal– We pay here now by the day, but according to the winter price; i.e. £2–10s, the week.
Peni is in despair at being crossed again in the journey to London– When people wonder at him for [not] wanting to go, he says apologetically, that he “does’nt like London .. oh no” .. but he “has Arabel there”—and “such a twantity of my untles”. He dreams of the railroad & cries out “What a pity,”—when Harriet wakes him up.
As for me, judge!– I do long, long to see you– I get stronger everyday, & was complimented on my good looks by the “concierge” yesterday– Best of loves to George & all.
Dearest Arabel, dont tire yourself for me, I beseech you—& dont be vexed for us, still less. You only did about the lodgings what we asked you to do, & what at the time was obviously to be done–
Robert’s true love–
Your ever attached
Ba.
or (as you said last time)
Yours obediently
E B Browning.
Address: Angleterre– / Miss Barrett / 50. Wimpole Street. / London.
Publication: EBB-AB, II, 240–241.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. We have been unable to trace any further identification of Mrs. Collier.
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