4974. RB to Alfred Moulton-Barrett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 243–244.

7. Delamere Terrace

Monday Mg [7 October 1861] [1]

My dear Alfred,

I write at once to relieve you from the anxiety under which you must labour—& to assure you that dearest Arabel, tho’ suffering acutely from this latest blow, is yet on the whole bearing up against it in her old & admirable way. Her fears were extreme for the last two or three days, and now that the worst has happened, she will have to give part of her attention to the means of helping those who need it. I was just on the point of leaving the house where she has loaded me with kindness, for a lodging close by—but I shall stay with her so long as I have the least hope of rendering any service however insignificant. I shall write to you, therefore, till she can write herself.

Say a kind word for me to your wife—who, I sincerely trust, has received no greater shock from the news than was unavoidable, and believe me,

Yours affectionately ever,

Robert Browning–

Publication: Philip Kelley, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806–1861: Catalogue of the Centenary Exhibition Held at St. Marylebone Central Public Library (London, 1961), p. 7 (in part).

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

1. Date provided by RB’s reference to Arabella’s state of health after the death of Charlotte Moulton-Barrett. In letter 4975, he tells Surtees of writing “yesterday to all the Brothers, knowing what would be their fears for the health of Arabel.”

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