Do write to me at Venice, Poste Restante, that I may know you are thinking of me and excusing me kindly.  If you knew how uncertain and tormented we have been.  I won’t even ask Robert to add a line to this, he is so overwhelmed with a flood of businesses; but he bids me speak to you of him as affectionately and faithfully (because affectionately) as I have reason to do.  So kind it was in you to think of taking the trouble of finding us an apartment!  So really sensible we are to all your warm-hearted goodness, with fullness of heart on our side too.  And, after all, we are not parting!  Either we shall find you in Italy again, or you will find us in Paris.  I have a presentimental assurance of finding one another again before long.  Remember us and love us meantime.

As to your spiritual visitor—­why, it would be hard to make out a system of Romish doctrine from the most Romish version of the S.S.[1] The differences between the Protestant version and the Papistical are not certainly justifiable by the Greek original, on the side of the latter.  In fact, the Papistical version does not pretend to follow the Greek text, but a Latin translation of the same—­it’s a translation from a translation.  Granting it, however, to be faithful, I must repeat that to make out the Romish system from even such a Romish version could not be achieved.  So little does Scripture (however represented) seem to me to justify that system of ecclesiastical doctrine and discipline.  I answer your question because you bid me, but I am not a bit frightened at the idea of your becoming a R.C., however you may try to frighten me.  You have too much intelligence and uprightness of intellect.  We do hope you have enjoyed Rome, and that dearest Miss Agassiz (give our kind love to her) is better and looks better than we all thought her a little while ago.  I have a book coming out in England called ’Casa Guidi Windows,’ which will prevent everybody else (except you) from speaking to me again.  Do love me always, as I shall you.  Forgive me, and don’t forget me.  I shall try, after a space of calm, to behave better to you, and more after my heart—­for I am ever (as Robert is)

Your faithfully affectionate friend,
ELIZABETH B. BROWNING.

* * * * *

To Miss Mitford

Venice:  June 4, [1851].

My ever dearest Miss Mitford,—­I must write to you from Venice, though it can only be a few lines.  So much I have to say and feel in writing to you, and thinking that you were not well when you wrote last to me, I long to hear from you—­and yet I can’t tell you to-day where a letter will find me.  We are wanderers on the face of the world just now, and with every desire of going straight from Venice to Milan to-morrow (Friday) week, we shall more probably, at the Baths of Recoaro, be lingering and lingering.  Therefore will you write to the care of Miss Browning, New Cross, Hatcham, near London?