4424. EBB to Sophia Eckley
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 180–181.
[Florence]
[?5 June 1859] [1]
Dearest Sophie, dear– I waited for you till you came & went today,—& so vexed I was, to have said a word, over which you stumbled yesterday. I thought it was settled that you would come at four, or earlier– When there was no more hope of you, I went out to drive with Robert, & visited the camp, [2] & had a gossip with the soldiers, & we all three (Robert, Pen, & I) shook hands with one soldier, who in an effusion of tenderness turned & kissed Peni.
Peni thought it “so very kind”, he said– It was like a kiss from the very Imperial lips–
But dear, I cant drive with you tomorrow, because Robert made an engagement for me yesterday with Isa Blagden– Will you make up for it & come & pass the evening with us,—coming early? Only the villa people [3] will be here–
I am so vexed to have missed you today—so vexed–
May God bless you, dearest Sophie. I love you dearly, dearly—as I am
Ba—
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Conjectural dating suggested by EBB’s reference to visiting the French camp, which probably occurred on 4 June (see letter 4422).
2. In the Cascine, as indicated in letter 4417.
3. i.e., Isa Blagden and Kate Field.
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