4752. EBB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 175.
[Siena]
[late September 1860] [1]
Though you seem ever so far from me already, dearest dear Isa, I must write one word to say how horribly vexed I was yesterday to have missed you– “Just my luck”. Robert said you would come later, & I could’nt let Peni go alone– So on the carriage arriving, I went out with him for one hour– The Storys did not dine with us, but our English did—& then the Storys came in the evening .. which made two efforts for me, two sessions at the table .. & in fact I was half dead at half past eleven when I betook myself to bed– M[ess]rs Rossetti & Lushington wanted to come tonight, but Robert says he shall interfere & go to the Storys who considerately offered themselves as recipients. [2]
Oh—that you had come last night. Robert said you would be sure to call as you returned– As you were at Mrs Crawford’s I did not like to send there—& earlier, nothing was arranged. I did’nt know who was coming or how or when– We have been à l’imprevu [3] these two days–
As to my darling Peni, he gave me a horrible fright of course—but it was the simple effect of doing too much because he considered himself quite well. He had been feeling out his liberty to its last limit—wandering about the house & delighting himself by pulverizing bricks to put into a bottle! A dissipation which (however charming of course) told upon his physique– It is the second time Peni has fainted away. Once, at seven years old, after a dose of medecine. [4] And there was only one day’s fever– May God bless you my Isa– Love me at Florence or Siena. Robert says he will send back Saturday Reviews &c– Make Florence warm for us, dearest Isa–
Your loving grateful
Ba–
I am so glad you went today—& Robert is so envious.
Publication: B-IB, pp. 365–366.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Approximate date suggested by EBB’s reference to Pen’s illness, which is more fully discussed in letter 4753, and by her reference to the visit of W.M. Rossetti and Vernon Lushington. In letter 4778, Lushington writes that his brother died on 25 September, “almost, when I was so happy with you.”
2. Years later, Rossetti recalled that he and Lushington had “passed an afternoon and evening, and the following morning, with Mr. and Mrs. Browning at their villa; slept at the closely-neighbouring villa of Mr. Story … and his family; and were introduced to Walter Savage Landor” (William Michael Rossetti, Ruskin: Rossetti: Preraphaelitism; Papers 1854 to 1862, 1899, p. 246).
3. “Expecting the unexpected.”
4. In Paris; see the first paragraph in letter 3738.
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