5787. RB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 108–109.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace, W,
July 13. ’66.
Dearest Isa,
You know what a joy it will be for me to see you again,—I shall write nothing, having the rare occasion of saying it all to you. Tell me the time when I can see you,—giving me, if possible, a little choice of times: any time on Sunday, for instance.
Will you thank Miss Alexander [1] for the letters she kindly addressed to me? You will explain to her that there is nothing more to be done now, the money being fortunately paid to you—but I am also much interested in a transaction which involves serious considerations concerning the character of a person I have to trust: I waited some days for the letters of B & E. which you wished to go with your letter to C. [2] but as nothing came, I sent it at last with a copy, & not the original, of that Note of B. & E which speaks of C’s just having paid the £75 which he declared to me had been paid three years ago: Mr Dolling’s [3] second letter, forwarded to me by Miss Alexander, is not of any use,—I want the distinct declaration of B & E. that they had transferred their rights,—or in some way made over the business of paying you,—originally theirs,—to C. Because he says to you, and to me, that he never was in any business-relation to you at all, but to them only. So it ought to have been,—that is clear,—nor should a debt be shifted on to another party’s shoulders in this way,—otherwise C. might excuse himself to B & E. on the ground that the retail-booksellers had not paid him; also, I don’t understand how at the end B. & E. should have paid the money themselves, as Mr Dolling (in his first letter) supposes evidently that they did: also mentioning that they were inclined to be impertinent about it, till he very properly threatened legal proceedings. One or the other statement must be false, and till I know that C’s is true, I refrain from seeing him: but he has the benefit of the doubt hitherto. Remember, whoever told the lie, would be apt enough to make the subsequent excuse: and I don’t think C’s letter was impertinent, tho’ plain spoken, if he really had never owed you the money. You and I would “snub” anybody for telling anybody else we had been owing, and promising to pay, and breaking our word for three years together, if it were altogether a mistake.
Ever affy yours RB.
Publication: DI, pp. 242–243.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Ellen Louisa Alexander (1816–94); see letter 4240, note 6.
2. Further discussion of the royalties owed Miss Blagden by Bradbury and Evans for The Cost of a Secret (1863); see letter 5728, note 12.
3. Robert Holbeach Dolling (1809–78), landlord of estates in co. Down, Ireland, husband of Eliza (née Alexander, 1811–70), Ellen’s sister.
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