Let it be clear at least, that I am very happy to be grateful to you for the honor you have done me in your dedication, and that my husband, moved more, as he always is, by honor paid to me than to himself, thanks you beside.

I will not keep back his thanks, which are worth more than mine can be.
For the rest, we have, neither of us, seen the book yet, nor even read an exact copy of the words in question.

Only the rumour of them appears to run that I am 'not likely ever to see you.' And why am I never to see you, pray?
Unlikelier pleasures have been granted to me, and I will not indeed lose hold of the hope of this pleasure.
Allow it to Your always obliged ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING.
* * * * * _To Miss Mitford_ [Paris,] 138 Avenue des Champs-Elysees: [January-February 1852].
My very dear friend, let me begin what I have to say by recognising you as the most generous and affectionate of friends.

I never could mistake the least of your intentions; you were always, from first to last, kind and tenderly indulgent to me--always exaggerating what was good in me, always forgetting what was faulty and weak--keeping me by force of affection in a higher place than I could aspire to by force of vanity; loving me always, in fact.

Now let me tell you the truth.