4948. RB to Frances Mary du Quaire
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 203–204.
M. Chauvin, St.-Enogat près Dinard,
Ile [1] et Vilaine
Aug. 17, ’61.
Dear Madame du Quaire, [2] —I got your note on Sunday afternoon, but found myself unable to call on you as I had been intending to do. Next morning I left for this place (near St.-Malo, but I give what they say is the proper address). I want first to beg you to forgive my withholding so long your little oval mirror—it is safe in Paris, and I am vexed at having stupidly forgotten to bring it when I tried to see you. I shall stay here till the autumn sets in, then return to Paris for a few days—the first of which will be the best, if I can see you in the course of it—afterward, I settle in London.
When I meant to pass the winter in Paris, I hoped, the first thing almost, to be near you—it now seems to me, however, that the best course for the Boy is to begin a good English education at once. I shall take quiet lodgings (somewhere near Kensington Gardens, I rather think) and get a Tutor. I want, if I can (according to my present very imperfect knowledge) to get the poor little fellow fit for the University without passing thro’ a Public School. I, myself, could never have done much by either process, but he is made differently—imitates and emulates and all that. How I should be grateful if you would help me by any word that should occur to you! I may easily do wrong, begin ill, thro’ too much anxiety—perhaps, however, all may be easier than seems to me just now.
I shall have a great comfort in talking to you—this writing is stiff, ineffectual work. Pen is very well, cheerful now,—has his little horse here. The place is singularly unspoiled, fresh and picturesque, and lovely to heart’s content. I wish you were here!—and if you knew exactly what such a wish means, you would need no assuring in addition that I am
Yours affectionately and gratefully ever
Robert Browning.
Text: Orr, p. 247.
1. Sic, for Ille. RB habitually misspells it. This department in northwest France is named for two of its rivers, the Ille and the Vilaine.
2. Frances Mary du Quaire (née Blackett, 1822–95); see letter 4089, note 3.
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