SD1420. Arabella Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Cook
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 293–294 (in part).
[London]
[Postmark: 8 April 1850]
My ever dearest Hentta
Your letters were delightful to receive this morning, & make us so perfectly happy about you that we can now spare some of our thoughts for other things. The description of yr drawing room, open French windows—wooded bank—bright sun, happy Cooks, & well covered breakfast table, were quite sufficient to create an immense stock of envy. The more I think of you, the better pleased I am that you are married– You were not happy at home—& now with all the liberty & the love you are so fully enjoying, you have every thing you could wish for. Alfred tells me he has given you an account of the whirlwind of last night– Now that being over, it is to be hoped a calm will succeed. I did not see Papa till Sunday at dinner, when the thunder cloud on his brow quite took away my appetite. He was speechless all dinner & as I said to Sette on my way to chapel “Fully prepared I am for a dreadful outburst to night.” Sette tried to persuade me to believe otherwise—but I felt sure the storm wd come. On the night before, he was in the most uproarious spirits all thru dinner—asked Foster where I was—but as soon as Henry Trant left, George & Henry being present, he began on the subject “Here is a pretty business.” George, although he had been very angry, yet most kindly defended you—said that as you had plighted yr faith, you felt you could not break the engagement—& that yr age was to be considered– “And I suppose she had no faith to break with me!” On Papa’s bursting out with expressions of thankfulness to God that he had only one daughter left, George took out his watch & went out of the room, leaving Henry to battle it out. He was dreadfully disappointed that he did not meet with the ready sympathy his anger in them all in this case as he did in poor Ba, which caused the second scene next night. George said on the Saturday “Cook is a gentleman by station & manners.” I tell you this, that you may see George has acted kindly– Well, let me go on about last nights. I went in to make tea by myself in fear & trembling– He was reading & said nothing—had his tea in silence, till Alfred got up to go out of the room, when in a dreadful voice, he called out “Hey where are you going?” “Upstairs.” “What for?” “Only for a book!” Of course we all knew what was coming. I felt my blood curdle up– He desired that the tea std be taken away—& no sooner were the servants gone than he began “Of course from what George said last night, you were all privy to it!” to wh George replied “Being so far—that we were all aware that an attachment had existed for some time.” Then Papa began by saying George had treated him with contempt the night before, & that he always did so– Upon which, George got into a most terrible passion & said it was untrue– Papa told how, if he were a stranger, he wd pull his nose. Oh, so frightened I was, & so glad when George was at the other side of the door. So Papa asked who went out with you—whether any of them were at the marriage– He was much more pacified when he heard that none of them knew anything of your intention to be married that day. He said we had all behaved shamefully, “particularly Arabel, after all she had done in that poor thing’s case—but it is the old story again a Corben. You talk, I suppose about yr duty to yr sister.” I said “Certainly I did not think it at all my duty to interfere in such a case—that you were of an age to judge for yourself”– Then he asked about Bonser, whether she had gone with you—& whether she had been privy to the marriage “for in that case she shan’t stay in my house.” I said that of course she knew you were going somewhere, for you took a few things with you—but the rest of them were here still unpacked. Papa desired that they shd be sent—so it is better to do so at once—therefore let me know the address at Taunton. He was not so violent as he was in the case of poor Ba—not nearly so– He had not them to back him up & to excite him to say & do all he did. Now I am going to tell you about Bummy, whose conduct has been, I do think, shameful & most treacherous– After Papa had read to us your letters to him, both of them, & Surtees’ & his reply to you—to my amazement he said “Now I have to read you one that I received from Bell late on Saturday night”—in wh was enclosed yr letter to her. Such a betrayal of confidence– She wrote to beseech him to give a “cautious reply” to Surtees as she understood that yr intention was to marry in any case—“Therefore wd it not be better to say you wd take time to consent & so prevent an elopement. I grieve for you dearest Edward– Perhaps it wd be happier for you to give your consent at once. I believe Capt Cook is an amiable man.” It was in this strain. Then Papa read to us yr letter to Bummy. I cd scarcely help smiling when he came to that part “If Papa wd only allow me £100 a year, we shd be most comfortable”– It was too bad of Bummy– Perhaps she will enclose my letter to Papa, which I wrote to her on Saturday– I can’t help it if she does. I shall certainly write & tell her what I think of her conduct[.] I am so relieved the storm is all over at least I trust it is–
Mrs Trant is here, asking 10,000 questions. I have many letters to write—so no more to day– Give my best love to Surtees & very best love to you– May God bless you, my beloved Henrietta.
Yr Ever Affect
Arabel
Alfred & I remembered so very many names to whom cards shd be sent, whose names were not in the list that the stamps are all used but these few I enclose. I stamped even the London letters, as no messengers could be found to take them who could read.
Just after you left on Saturday I received a letter from Arlette with a message to you, hoping you did not think it unkind of her family not coming to see you but as she cd. not disengage herself from Mrs Davidson, she thought it kinder to refrain from coming.
Angela has just been here. She came on receiving your card. All sorts of love and congratulations she sends you. Mr Owen takes your part very strongly[.]
Address: Mrs Surtees Cook / 2. Oriel Terrace / Weston-Super-Mare.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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