4257. EBB to Sophia Eckley
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 250–251.
6 rue de Castiglione.
Oct. 12– [1858] [1]
Oh, what a naughty ungrateful Ba to all these dear letters! I not to have written for a fortnight I do believe, and two, three unanswered letters in my hand!
Dearest Sophie, my sister, my good, patient tender friend, will you forgive me? Will you cover with your love one who loves you, hush up the faults, and keep a smile warm for me till I shall come—for I am coming, dear, coming .. there will only be a day or so, or so, before we go, .. turn our backs to Paris & our faces to Italy, and the air will blow softly in them from the paradise of the world, .. & mine–
Since we came to Paris I have been running about the streets all day long, peering into shop windows with my sister who had everything to see, was never here in her life before .. acting showman, in fact, through all the Parisian wonders. When at home, there was talking, talking .. or too much fatigue for talk. I have got through a quantity of business, &, though being tired is my normal state, I am not the worse but the better– Only the day comes for good bye—she returns to England immediately—& this time I give to this poor note is but a thread snipped off a narrow strip of mourning “remnant” .. as we say in the shops, dear– And let me assure you of her wondering gratitude to you for your extravagant promise in respect to the picture– [2] But no, no! That is not a promise, nor shall be. We must hold your liberal hands.
We went to Pere la Chaise [3] the other day: I, touched by some impulse, proposed turning from the path we walked in, and, three minutes after, .. on looking up .. I stood before the new tomb of that great poet Alfred de Musset– The last time I was in any relation to him, I saw him accepting what I suppose he considered the highest honour of his life, when he was received Academic[i]an. [4] And now, there– It affected me much, & I broke off a white rose from a garden-bed full of them & threw it on the grave .. the sign of a thought & an emotion.
No, I cant write the rest. This is only to tell you that I love you & am coming– We will talk of Rome– Love to all yours from all mine.
Your much attached
Ba.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Year provided by reference to the return address; 1858 was the only year the Brownings stayed at 6 Rue de Castiglione.
2. i.e., Mrs. Eckley’s promise to bequeath the portrait of EBB by Gordigiani to Pen; see the first paragraph of letter 4231.
4. Alfred de Musset (1810–57) was elected to the Académie Française in 1852. EBB attended his reception (see the first paragraph in letter 3046).
___________________
