4780. RB to William Wetmore Story & Emelyn Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 225.
Florence,
Nov 17. ’60.
Dear Friends,
We start to-morrow, Sunday—I just write this, in utmost haste, to tell you why we precipitate our departure. We have just received the worst news of poor Mrs Cook—and if the next post brings the calamitous intelligence I cannot but expect—we should not be able to leave at all—& what the effect would be on Ba, of mental & physical suffering together, you may imagine—so I am determined to get her off to-morrow—we shall therefore arrive on Friday, I suppose. I dare say you will kindly take our letters at the post so that we may be no longer in suspence than is necessary. Also—you will understand to say “No letters!” should you meet us—so as to allow me to get the first reading & break any bad result as much as I can.
How kind, your letter from Terni,—and the messages which Mrs Bruen delivered! But that all goes of course now,—tho’ we are none the less grateful. We shall soon see you & thank you, I hope. The weather is just what we require. We have the Vetturino [1] who enabled us to travel so comfortably last year—but I have had no time to plan for a better arrangement as to Inns &c being, as I said, in the utmost haste. I have a letter for you from New York—& sent one to you, or saw it directed at the post, a few days ago. I paid Goodban’s bill.
Poor Ba is in no condition to say any thing—but would if she could. Please tell Mr Russell that I venture again to bid people address my “Nazione” & “Athenæum” to him,—so shall I hope to get them unmutilated.
ever yours affectionately
Robert Browning.
Publication: BAF, pp. 66–68.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. Pietro Gai (see letter 4535, note 2).
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