4284. EBB to Sophia Eckley

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 295–296.

[Rome]

[?late November 1858] [1]

I am frantic with indignation, darling Sophie. You know how it was yesterday?—how I told Ferdinando that I did’nt receive? Well, he let people in notwithstanding.

And this morning, because of what I said yesterday, he being out, the padrona di casa [2] chose to act for him & me, & to take for granted that I was to be a “sealed spirit” [3] for the rest of my life & meant to have communion with nobody. Not with you! mark that! So I lost you.

I have not been out of these rooms, not once today.

If you come anywhere near, come for charity here—but I cant ask you to come again unless you pass by

Your unlucky but ever loving

Ba–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Conjectural date suggested by EBB’s remark: “I told Ferdinando that I did’nt receive.” At the end of letter 4280, EBB wrote: “Rome is so full, that I am proceeding to lock up my doors throughout the day.”

2. “Landlady.”

3. Cf. Wordsworth, “A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal” (1800), line 1.

___________________