4704. EBB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 68–69.
[Florence]
[ca. 5] [July 1860] [1]
Ever dearest Isa, Here I’ve been waiting for my inkstand which Robert ran away with, & now I must be brief to be in time for Ansano. [2] Poor Ansano, whether you were obscure or whether the cloud was in his own understanding, missed your meaning altogether, & has been in a state of uttermost distraction in regard to cats & things in general. In fact, in spite of your last instructions, he is so disinclined to prolong “the situation,” that he resists any suggestion to the contrary & goes at once– In fact Robert thinks him right, seeing that the baggage-train does go to Siena, & that he can be more useful there than here– Also it seems to me, there may be a cat-tragedy if the suspence continues– This morning before I was up, the most unearthly shriek resounded through my room– Of course I thought of the Banshee—which did’nt prevent me from ringing my bell violently– When lo! it was .. “il gatto della signorina.”! [3] I was trembling from head to foot meanwhile.
Dearest dear Isa, it’s most exquisite that you should have a villa. [4] At any rate I shant be worse off than at Florence—shall I? Mind you get the chair and a sofa for yourself. You really must insist on it. Then we shall have drives together—though I fear, I fear Mr Landor who is to be driven about & done for, it seems, will interfere in some of our combinations– But we shall manage– How good, how good of you, to care to be near us ..
Dr Grisanowsky comes in– He will write for himself, he says– And here’s Ansano– Oh– I had so much to say– Your’s in truest love,
Ba–
write–
Publication: B-IB, pp. 357–358.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Approximate dating suggested by EBB’s reference to the immediate departure of Ansano for Siena. Doubtless, the Brownings and Isa Blagden followed soon after.
2. Ansano Romain, Isa Blagden’s man-servant.
3. “The lady’s cat.”
4. The Villa Pupi, as identified at the end of letter 4755. EBB later describes it as “a rough cabin, a quarter of an hour’s walk from here” (see letter 4729).
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