SD668. Angela Bayford to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 359 (in part).
[Piercefield Park]
[ca. 25 July 1828]
My dearest Henrietta,
I fear you must almost have begun to think that I had quite forgotten you, or else that some unhappy catastrophe had caused my long silence; I am most happy to inform you that my delay in sending a determinate answer to your invitation, arose neither from forgetfulness, nor any untoward event, but simply and solely because I thought it best not to inform you of the permission to visit Hope-End which Mama & Papa gave without hesitation, until I could say something definite as to the day and manner of our meeting. Mr & Mrs Wells have settled to bring me to Ross in the carriage either Monday or Tuesday next, whichever day suits you best, it is quite immaterial to us. You will perhaps kindly write to let me know on which day you fix, and whether two o’clock would be a convenient hour for you to be there; you will also oblige me by telling us the name of the Inn at Ross, which would be best for the place of rendez-vous.
Let me intreat you to be so very kind as to let me know your wishes, and plans, if possible by return of post; but pray do not hesitate to say whether the days and hour on which we have fixed, are quite convenient to you, and whether it still continues perfectly agreeable & convenient for you [&] dearest Mrs Barrett to receive a visit from me. I shall depend on your writing immediately, to tell me the exact state of the case–
And now, my very dear Henrietta, having, I believe, quite discharged the business part of this letter, let me assure you of the real joy and delight that Mama’s speedy approval of this most agreeable plan for our meeting gave me. She does not hesitate to give a joyful consent to my visit, she only expresses a fear lest in your kind anxiety to give me pleasure, you should forget that I am invalid & unequal to any thing like fatigue or bustle. I have informed her of what your dear affectionate letter said about your own quiet ways and regular, early hours, and I have ventured to promise that you will very kindly allow me to lie entirely quiet during my stay with you.
I sincerely trust your beloved Mama continues improving in health, & gradually recovering her strength. Give my most affectionate love to her and dear Ba. I really long to see your dear loved faces again. Expect to see me grown rather fatter than I was a few weeks ago, but still very pale & by no means in my best looks; at least I myself can discern very little or no improvement in my appearance. But thank God! I feel much better & stronger.
You cannot think what a very pleasant time I have past at Piercefield. I came here a perfect stranger to all the family excepting my old friend Mrs Wells, and Mr Wells whom I had seen once or twice at evening parties. You may imagine then how very agreeable it has proved, to find all the family extremely nice pleasant persons, and just the sort of people that suit me. Mr Wells (notwithstanding &c &c &c <…>) is a most <d>elightful man; he is quite my admiration and I was a little prejudiced against him, on many accounts. I had hardly been a day in his society before every feeling approaching to dislike was completely overcome.
Again assuring you what very great happiness I anticipate from our meeting[.] Believe me to be, my dearest Henrietta’s
Most affectionte Friend
Angela F. Bayford.
When last I heard from Cheyne Walk, all the dear creatures at home, were quite well, except dearest Mama who has slightly injured her knee thro’ an over exertion at a water-party; I am happy to say she is getting better, and I trust that I shall today have tidings of her complete recovery.
I must just add a line to beg that you will be so very kind as not to be later than 2 [2] at Ross; if that hour is convenient to you. Do not be affronted or surprised at my taking the liberty of making this request, but I know all your family are not famous for punctuality—and I therefore thought you would kindly excuse this hint. I am pretty certain that I can promise that you will not have to wait for us. Adieu my dearest Henrietta, till we meet–
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope-End / near Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
2. Underscored twice.
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