11 May 1845. Browning, Elizabeth Barrett to Browning, Robert.

London

Sunday -in the last hour of it-

May I ask how the head is? just under the bay? Mr Kenyon was here today & told me such bad news that I cannot sleep tonight (although I did think once of doing it) without asking such a question as this, dear Mr Browning.

Let me hear how you are—will you? and let me hear (if I can) that it was prudence or some unchristian virtue of the sort, & not a dreary necessity, which made you put aside the engagement for Tuesday—for Monday. I had been thinking so of seeing you on Tuesday … with my sister’s eyes—for the first sight. And now if you have done killing the mules & the dogs, let me have a straight quick arrow for myself, if you please. Just a word, to say how you are. I ask for no more than a word, lest the writing should be hurtful to you.

May God bless you always.

Your friend

EBB-