4448. RB to William Wetmore Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 225–227.
[Florence]
Friday. July 22. ’59.
My dear Story,
You are quite right in supposing that in the regular course of things you would have heard from me at once: I hoped & expected to be able to beg you would take the Villa for us the next day: but my wife became suddenly ill & very ill—she had been much affected by all these untoward events, and I believe caught cold—the result was, as I say, a very painful & rather alarming attack of tightness of the chest, inability to breathe & violent cough: I called in the doctor [1] —and, to say the best thing at once, she is much better this morning—quite well, indeed, by comparison, tho’ weak with the uninterrupted sort of strangled cough that prevented her sleeping the two last nights,—her worst state, at four this morning was ended by a sudden sleep & she woke well,—though very weak. Now, therefore, our business is to keep what we have gained—and I don’t know so likely a way as by getting our share in your pleasant Sienna cool and quiet. Will you have to [sic, for the] goodness to engage for us the Bargagli Villa [2] from August 1—to September 30. We must pay 35fi a month if they won’t take 30—you will do for us what you can, and we cheerfully abide by your bargain. We bring our own plate & linen. And all thanks beforehand for the trouble you choose to expose yourself to on our account.
I am vexed at what you tell me of poor Mr Landor: I write to him, under cover to you, and will, if I can, prevent him doing anything so foolish as going to Viarreggio. I had no notion of his meaning to go to Siena till he told me he had written to you: he would hear of no other plan. Now, thro’ the happiest of chances, he finds exactly all & far more than he wanted, and he begins scheming in this fruitless way. His family take no notice of his letters—and, till I hear from England, which I hope to do every day, I cannot be sure that his agent or relatives will advance him a farthing: he must at all events stay till his means are assured: and were they ever so abundant, he is manifestly unfit to be trusted alone: nor can I engage to go about with him and be responsible for what happens—as to a certain degree I might in Siena. If Mr Landor is in earnest in preferring any “two rooms,” with simple board, to living with his family,—that arrangement may be made: but Viarreggio &c are “not in the programme.” I will make this as plain to him as is consistent with the delicacy of communication that he requires, and, no doubt, he will acquiesce. What a load you have imposed on yourself, in your generosity—but you shall not long remain unrelieved of it, be assured. He will show you the letter I write.
I have much to do this morning before the post goes out,—but your case is urgent,—and you will understand that had I a few minutes more to spend, I would try and say some little of what I feel about your goodness the other day,—yours & dear Mrs Story’s. But word of mouth will soon succeed to scratch of pen, and we shall talk together soon to heart’s content. Kindest love to all from us all.
Ever yours faithfully,
Robert Browning.
Publication: BAF, pp. 41–44.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. Ernst Gryzanowski, as indicated in letter 4461.
2. Villa Bargagli, in the district of Marciano, not far from the Storys’ residence Villa Belvedere (see letter 4454, note 2). It is described as situated “in a grove of trees” by Edith Peruzzi (née Story) in “Walter Savage Landor,” The Cornhill Magazine, New Series, 38 (April 1915), 489. Ultimately, the Brownings chose Villa Alberti; see letter 4456, note 2. See also letter 4457.
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