5596. RB to Helena Faucit Martin

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 256.

19 Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace W

May 17. ’65.

My dear Mrs Martin,

You will perhaps have wondered at the delay in getting an answer to your kind note: I have really been waiting to see how far I could venture to indulge myself, and if I could not accept your invitation,—but I fear it is impossible for me to do so. I am obliged to go out so many evenings next week—indeed every evening except Saturday—and, all the while, I have a dull headache that stupifies me at times. I think therefore that I ought to rest on Saturday—and when can I do it more conscientiously than by—however reluctantly—giving you up?

Pray understand & forgive

Yours—& dear Mr Martin’s

ever most truly & obligedly

Robert Browning.

Docket, in Mrs. Martin’s hand: He did come to us after all on the 31st He had mistaken the day & wrote to say so. H.F.M.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library, Michael Meredith Collection.

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