[15 April 1845]. Browning, Robert to Browning, Elizabeth Barrett.

              Tuesday night. 

I heard of you, dear Miss Barrett, between a Polka and a Cellarius the other evening, of Mr Kenyon: how this wind must hurt you! And yesterday I had occasion to go your way-pass, that is, Wimpole Street, the end of it,-and, do you know, I did not seem to have leave from you to go down it yet, much less count number after number till I came to yours,-much least than less, look up when I did come there. So I went on to a viperine she-friend of mine who, I think, rather loves me she does so hate me, and we talked over the chances of certain other friends who were to be balloted for at the “Athenæum” last night,-one of whom, it seems, was in a fright about it-“to such little purpose” said my friend-“for he is so inoffensive-now, if one were to