71. EBB to Miss Fance [1]
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 62.
[Hope End]
[?9] [August 1818] [2]
My dear Miss Fance will excuse the absence of Mama this evening being only a fortnight confined of a fine boy but tho illness prevented her enjoying your society at Malvern happy would s<he> have been to have s<een> you here had not the late unhappy event of the death of Grandpapa prevented it This was indeed a heavy blow on our feelings as none was so deservedly beloved as he whom we lament but we trust in Him who is always merciful that he has met with his reward. Pardon <this> digression dear Miss Fance for it is a subject that comes spontaneously from the heart–
Believe me yours sincerely
EBB
Publication: None traced.
Source: EBB’s draft, Berg Collection.
1. Probably the daughter of Major Fance, a neighbour of the Moulton-Barretts.
2. Dated by the reference to the birth a fortnight since of Henry Moulton-Barrett, who was born 27 July 1818, and to the death on 7 August 1818 of EBB’s maternal grandfather.
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