13 April [1833]. Browning, Elizabeth Barrett to Boyd, Ann Lowry.

              My dear Mrs Boyd

Mr Boyd desires me to say, that he wishes you to do as you consider best for your health, with regard to going to Bath. I am very sorry to understand from your letter to me, how unwell you have been, and are. I do hope a little more time will bring us better accounts.

Arabel regrets having made you nervous, or annoyed you in any way: and I quite agree with you, that your being made nervous, and over exciting yourself are bad means of bringing you to Sidmouth. For me to say, that I have not deeply regretted your not having come before your illness rendered exertion injurious to you, would not be honest in me. I certainly have been unable to see poor Mr Boyd so solitary, in this strange place, without wishing you had determined otherwise than you did. I have been unable to help thinking that as soon as Annie was strong enough to attend the Bath parties, she was also strong enough to come here. But whether I was right or wrong in thinking this; of one thing, I am quite sure—that Mr Boyd deserved no expressions from Annie which were not affectionate and grateful ones. I have been careful to conceal from him everything of this kind, which was likely to give him pain.