3861. EBB to Sarianna Browning
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 58–59.
[West Cowes]
[Postmark: 12 September 1856]
My dearest Sarianna, Robert comes suddenly down on me with news that he is going to write to you—so, though I have been writing letters all the morning, I must throw in a few words. As to keeping Penini at the sea longer, he will have been three weeks at the sea tomorrow,—& you must remember how late into the year it is getting,—& we with so much work before us! And if Peni recovered his roses at Ventnor, I recovered my cough (from the piercing east winds) but I am better since, & last night slept well. Its far too early for cough, however, in any shape. We have heaps of business to do in London, .. heaps—and the book is only half done. Still, we are asked to stay here till three days after Madame Braun’s arrival, and it is’nt fixed yet when she will arrive, so that I dare say, Peni will have a full month of the sea after all. Then I have a design upon Robert’s good nature, of persuading him to go round by Taunton to London (something like going round the earth to Paris) that I may see my poor forsaken sister Henrietta who wants us to give her a week in her cottage, pathetically bewailing herself that she has no means for the expense of going to London this time,—that she has done it twice for me, & cant this time .. (the purse being low) & unless we go to her, she must do without seeing me, in spite of a separation of four years. So I am anxious to go, of course.
Robert will have told you of our dear friend here. We began by ‘finding him much better than we expected’—but gradually the sad truth deepens, that he is very ill,—oh, it deepens & saddens at once. The face lights up with the warm generous heart—then the fire drops, & you see the embers– The breath is very difficult—it is hard to live—he leans on the table, saying softly & pathetically, ‘my God, my God’: now & then he desires aloud to pass away & be at rest. I cannot tell you what his kindness is,—his consideration is too affecting. Kinder he is than ever. Miss Bayley is an excellent nurse, at once gentle & decided—and if she did but look farther than this life & this death, she would be a perfect companion for him. Peni creeps about like a mouse—but he goes out, & he is’nt over tired, as he was at Ventnor– We think he is altogether better in looks & ways.
Your affete
Ba.
Address, in RB’s hand: France. / À Mademoiselle, / Mlle Browning, / Hôtel de Lyon, Rue du Hazard 22. / Versailles.
Docket, in Sarianna’s hand, on back of envelope: Written while on a visit to Mr Kenyon—in the isle of Wight.
Publication: LEBB, II, 239–240 (as 13 September 1856).
Manuscript: Lilly Library.
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