SD2907. Sarianna Browning to Joseph Milsand
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 364–365 (in part).
19. Warwick Crescent
upper Westbourne Terrace
Friday Mg [Postmark: 31 May 1867]
Dear Friend,
I write at once to let you know my proceedings as your unceasing kindness will make you feel anxious. After you and Claire left me I went straight to bed, and had a restless night without a minute’s sleep—though the fever was less high than on the preceding evenings—in the morning I felt better, and bore the journey very well. The sea-passage was extremely good, spite of a breeze; yet I abandoned my excellent resolutions, and lay down the whole time in the ladies’ cabin—it is the recumbent posture which is so pleasant to me, which I cannot get on deck. I was not in the least sick, though my cough was very troublesome. Robert met me at the terminus. After dinner, I went to bed and slept very well indeed except for my cough. To-day, I am about the same—but my chest is very sore. I must tell the truth that at breakfast this morning Robert was shocked at seeing me look so ill, and wanted me to have a doctor, which is absurd. I shall be well in a day or two. The air here struck me as being very fresh and open. In strict confidence, (don’t breathe a word to any one) I think the unpleasant smells in Mme Louis’ room were unhealthy. I am very sensitive in those matters. All was right at home. The servants going on to perfection. The owl is moulting, but otherwise in a satisfactory state. Robert, though complaining of a cold, was in a more reasonable frame of mind than when I left: he says that Pen is working very well, and making great progress, and that if he does not get into the formidable Bal[l]iol, he shall put him into another college—but I don’t suppose he has told Pen so: in about at [sic] week they are both going on a short visit again to Professor Jowett’s. Robert saw Mrs Bracken yesterday and received her confidences. I am sorry to say Willy has behaved very badly indeed, and with much heartlessness. Robert told her that if Willy continued in London the course he began in Paris, he could not allow him to associate with Pen, and his mother says, in that case, she should not think of sending him to Oxford. Pen is profoundly pained and shocked—he never mentions the subject except his father begins, and I shall not allude to it unless I am obliged to do so. I feel for poor Pen, wounded in his faith in his friend. They went out rowing together yesterday as usual. The first thing Robt asked me was whether there was a hope of your coming over to us this summer. I told him your scheme of his calling at Trouville—the only objection is the sea.
If you can, will you tell Mme Louis that I arrived safely. I am hardly able to write to her to-day. Already I am longing to see you again—do come over in the summer. Give my love to Claire. Robert & Pen send best love.
Ever yours,
S.B.
Address: France. / Monsieur Milsand / 31, rue Perronnet, / Neuilly. / près Paris.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
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