5946. RB to Euphemia Millais
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 233.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.
July 18. ’67.
Dear Mrs Millais,
I don’t know what my writing never so much fiction has to do with preventing me from saying a true word now & then,—such as this, that I am greatly obliged to you for all your kindness. I & my sister went to the portrait-gallery yesterday, [1] and made a couple of calls in your neighbourhood, [2] —it seemed natural to call on you also, though we gave you but little breathing-space between our visit and your own. Never mind, we shall try again before we go away.
I was sole cavalier to two ladies at the Opera,—could not leave them for a minute. I liked the four acts that I heard,—having been whisked away ere the fifth began. I could not see you, & must have been underneath, somewhere on the same side. [3]
Ever most truly yours
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. i.e., the Second Exhibition of National Portraits from 1700 to 1800, which opened to the general public on 3 May 1867 at the South Kensington Galleries in Exhibition Road. See SD2921.
2. Mrs. Millais’s husband, John Everett Millais, is listed in RB’s address book of this period (AB-5) at 7 Cromwell Place, South Kensington.
3. In SD2921, Sarianna writes: “I had a visit the other day from Mrs Millais—she called to ask Robert to share her box at the Opera, and also to be introduced to me. (Robt. was previously engaged by another lady for the same opera—which was something attractive Romeo & Giulietta—).” Romeo e Giuletta, a five-act opera by Charles François Gounod (1818–93), was performed at Covent Garden by the Royal Italian Opera on 11, 13, and 16 July 1867.
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