SD1414. Arabella Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Cook
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 290–291 (in part).
[London]
[6 April 1850] [1]
My beloved Hentta
It seems to me almost like a dream that we have parted, but with reference to you, a very pleasant dream to think about—& as regards to all the rest, I shut my eyes, & try not to think at all. I have no doubt of your happiness—& to receive letters continually telling me of it, will compensate very much for my hours of loneliness– But to tell you of all that has passed– When the breakfast bell rang, I rang my bell for Maria—gave her the tray & told her to go down & make the tea—wrote a little note to them telling them the Great Event, & sent it down at half past nine, for none of them were down before then. Everything was very silent– Maria brought up my cup of cocoa—& in a few minutes after up came Bonser, who gave me a delightful account of you, which caused me to wipe away many of my tears. She said you “spoke out so plain in the church that she heard every word—& then she went away, looking so very happy, & Capt Cook was in such spirits” I felt so relieved that it was all over—& that you dearest Hentta, had at last the desire of your heart granted. It has very often been my prayer that it should be so, if it were according to God’s will. Presently the intelligence came to me, of the arrival of your’s and Surtees’ letters—& that George & Henry were in the dining room reading them, & Papa’s were put in the entrance. I waited & waited in great suspense never hearing Papa go down stairs when to my inexpressible relief, Bonser came to tell me Papa had been at his breakfast sometime, & was then reading the paper. The letters were gone from the table– Not a word have we heard from him—& he has now gone out– I don’t believe he will say anything but will treat it with indifference, which is after all better than violence. I have not seen any of them but Henry who came in very kindly to talk it all over with me. He said it was an imprudent marriage but expressed no anger at all. Send Papa’s letter to them to read, for I told them you would. Treppy has been here since & told me all the little details. She has gone back to receive Mrs Trant to dinner. My head aches so much with writing this morning, that I cannot add another word. You are at the end of your journey long before this– May God bless you both & make your cup to overflow with happiness– Give my affecte love to dear Surtees—& tell him I shall ever feel for him the affection of a sister. I am so sorry not to have seen him before he left, but I trust it may not be long before we all meet again. You will both be continually in my thoughts.
Dearest Henttas affectely attached
Arabel
Address: Mrs Surtees Cook / Post Office / Weston-Super-Mare / Somersetshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Date suggested by Henrietta’s marriage.
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