Correspondence

4174.  EBB to Sophia Eckley

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 117.

[Florence]

[?11 May 1858] [1]

Yes, dearest Sophie, at any hour you please, except just at three when we dine. I hope dear Doady gave my message, that you might not think me ungrateful to your supernatural roses (with the gossamer wings) & to you– There was a visitor who hindered my writing– How beautiful! (not the visitor.)

Robert bids me remind dear Mr Eckley of the riding-hour at half past hour, [2] in case he should feel inclined to it–

Ever your loving EBB.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Conjectural date based on EBB’s mention of “supernatural roses” and RB’s “riding-hour.” In letter 4176 she writes of receiving bouquets of roses, “in size like a small table.” RB’s account book lists several payments for rides in the period after the Eckleys’ return to Florence in May and before their departure for Bagni di Lucca in June. We date this letter by the earliest of these entries, 11 May 1858 (see Appendix IV).

2. Probably, sic for four.

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