4254. RB to Joseph Milsand
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 248–249.
Paris, Rue de Castiglione 6.
Oct. 5. ’58.
My dear Milsand,
I will tell you exactly how we are disposed at present for stay or departure: my wife begins to feel the cold in the mornings far too unmistakeably to allow of our trying to profit longer by the brilliant sun which changes the whole character of the day at noon—we shall leave next Tuesday—this day week—and if not on Monday, only because that is an unsuitable day on some accounts to begin a journey upon. The whole of the present week, indeed, is nothing but a concession to the natural requirements of Arabel Barrett—as we understand them, rather than herself. Now, dear friend, know that we understand you as you understand us: do not leave Dijon, and your affairs, and, above all, your Mother for one day’s hurried leave-taking—there is much pleasure in a word with you, but perhaps even more pain in the feeling that it can be only a word; and on the last day what a hurried and unsatisfactory word! Better that you came and spoke it to us at the railway station,—as that happy chance enabled you to do on the last occasion. I have hopes that by a thoroughly protected winter abode, like that we look for in Rome, my wife may be so far restored as to let us soon spend a long summer, winter and spring in France.
What a comfort it is that we go away with the knowledge that all is well with you in a great measure—that your mother’s health is in such satisfactory progress,—that the vintage is so prosperous. We too are nearly as well as you can reasonably wish, or at least, expect. My wife is out, this moment, on a visit to some convents which her sister desired to see. [1] She is much stronger and I expect the good effects of Hâvre will be more and more evident. She & I think together exactly on this point of your remaining at Dijon: she sends her truest regards. My sister is very well, my Father perfectly so: Peni too is in high condition. Write a word and say that you understand us,—as I am sure you do. God bless you.
Yours ever affectionately
RB.
Address: M. Milsand, / Rue des Forges 38. / Dijon.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
1. Presumably, one of these was the convent of the Filles de la Charité de St. Vincent de Paul at 140 Rue du Bac (see letter 3524, note 10). Their work in educating the poor would have particularly interested Arabella, considering her association with the Ragged Schools in London.
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