3891. EBB to Henrietta Cook
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 94–95.
[London]
[Postmark: 17 October 1856]
My beloved Henrietta,
I should have written yesterday—& it vexes me to think that I did’nt– The work presses almost too much when one is not well, .. & coughs half the night by way of preparation for a laborious day .. and so, omissions will happen. Now, I can tell you that last night I slept better,—& that the book is almost done,—& that we go .. perhaps on monday,—if not, on tuesday– I hope, on monday. I hate going away just a few days before Arabel comes—it seems cruel both to her & me– But a ‘goodbye’ is’nt worth straining for– And then, really if I stay here much longer, I shall be laid up & worse than useless to everybody, saying nothing of myself. As it is, .. there’s no spitting of blood, nor anything bad– Its merely coughing, coughing .. & no rest for it– By the time I get to Lyons, all will go well again, I dont doubt–
What has been terrible to me, & is, is the necessity of examining my dear friend Miss Mitford’s letters, in order to let Mr Harness have what is not unfit for publication. [1] I put it off till the last, through a natural horror—(you know how such things affect me—) & now I am driven to the wall, & made doubly sad on these last days–
Papa is better, it appears—but I go sadly—altogether.
I hear that George arrived last night: but I have not seen him yet–
In fact Lizzie seemed to me to want much somebody to take care of her– So pretty, & so childish, & so looking out for amusement!-- Robert said to me “She really ought to go.” She was bent on going to Alfred till I dropped my word about the archery-meeting—& then, all at once, round she veered .. & began to talk of the expence of the voyage. Poor Lizzie. Thanks for the knife– Peni was charmed with the letters, & will answer them from Florence– May God bless you, dearest & all of you– True love from Robert & me to dear Surtees
Your attached Ba–
Robert delivered the little packet with his own hands in Frome: [2] will you tell dear uncle Hedley. Our love to them all–
Address: Mrs Surtees Cook– / Wilton / Taunton.
Publication: Huxley, p. 259 (in part).
Manuscript: British Library.
2. Frome is situated in the northeast corner of Somersetshire. The Brownings passed through it on their railway journey to London.
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