4298. EBB to Emelyn Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 318.
[Rome]
[25 December 1858] [1]
When Penini fresh from your kindnesses & his happy day yesterday, brought me my dear Mrs Story, this too beautiful gift from you, I felt for a moment embarrassed,—but it is better I think to tell you at once that a brooch identically the same has been already given to me & accepted– [2] What am I to do? I cant wear two brooches exactly alike—can I?– Perhaps you will set us down as ungracious about gifts—& it is true that the sincere ‘clasp of hands’ (which you spoke of in an unanswered note) is better to us than best gifts. But my reason for begging you to appropriate otherwise this lovely trinket is too reasonable to run the least risk of being untenderly interpreted, or, what would be worse, of vexing you. So I take heart to entreat you to fasten it into dear Edith’s collar & to let her feel that it is not spoilt by having just passed through my hands. The sentiment of the Christian symbol, so significant & touching to us all, remains with me—while the innocent unconscious Dove floating whitely in its atmosphere of rose, suits indeed her years rather than mine. I thank you much & I shall thank you more if you understand kindly, which you will I think.
We count on you tonight, & would fain be exacting for tomorrow night also, if we thought that Mr & Mrs Marshall might draw you.
Believe that among the warmest wishes of your truest friends at this season of wishes, there is none who wishes more true good & joy to you & yours, including dear Mr Story, dear Edith & the dear pretty boys, in all affectionate truth than
Elizabeth B Browning
Publication: BAF, pp. 39–40.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. Dated by EBB’s references to Pen’s being at the Storys’ “yesterday” and to the Marshalls’ coming the following day. Both of these events are mentioned in letter 4297.
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