Dr. Chambers has advised Pisa, and I go in the direct steamer from the Thames to Leghorn.  I have good courage, and as far as my own strength goes, sufficient means.

Dearest Mrs. Martin, more than I thought at first of telling you, I have told you.  Much beside there is, painful to talk of, but I hope I have determined to do what is right, and that the determination has not been formed ungently, unscrupulously, nor unaffectionately in respect to the feelings of others.  I would die for some of those, but there, has been affection opposed to affection.

This in confidence, of course.  May God bless both of you!  Pray for me, dearest Mrs. Martin.  Make up your mind to go somewhere soon—­shall you not?—­before the winter shuts the last window from which you see the sun.

Dr. Chambers said that he would ‘answer for it’ that the voyage would rather do me good than harm.  Let me suffer sea sickness or not, he said, he would answer for its doing me no harm.

I hope to take Arabel with me, and either Storm or Henry.  This is my hope.

Gratefully and affectionately I think of all your kindness and interest.  May dear Mr. Martin lose nothing in this coming winter!  I shall think of you, and not cease to love you.  Moreover, you shall hear again from

Your ever affectionate
BA.

To H.S.  Boyd October 27, 1845 [postmark].

My very dear Friend,—­It is so long since I wrote that I must write, I must ruffle your thoughts with a little breath from my side.  Listen to me, my dear friend.  That I have not written has scarcely been my fault, but my misfortune rather, for I have been quite unstrung and overcome by agitation and anxiety, and thought that I should be able to tell you at last of being calmer and happier, but it was all in vain.  I do not leave England, my dear friend.  It is decided that I remain on in my prison.  It was my full intention to go.  I considered it to be a clear duty, and I made up my mind to perform it, let the circumstances be ever so painfully like obstacles; but when the moment came it appeared impossible for me to set out alone, and also impossible to take my brother and sister with me without involving them in difficulties and displeasure.  Now what I could risk for myself I could not risk for others, and the very kindness with which they desired me not to think of them only made me think of them more, as was natural and just.  So Italy is given up, and I fall back into the hands of God, who is merciful, trusting Him with the time that shall be.

Arabel would have gone to tell you all this a fortnight since, but one of my brothers has been ill with fever which was not exactly typhus, but of the typhoid character, and we knew that you would rather not see her under the circumstances.  He is very much better (it is Octavius), and has been out of bed to-day and yesterday.

Do not reproach me either for not writing or for not going, my very dear friend.  I have been too heavy-hearted for words; and as to the deeds, you would not have wished me to lead others into difficulties, the extent and result of which no one could calculate.  It would not have been just of me.