is doing what he can,’ Mrs. Jameson believes.  Robert says:  ’A dreadful situation, after all, for a man of understanding and honesty!  I pity him from my soul, for he can, at best, only temporise with truth.’  But human nature is doomed to pay a high price for its opportunities.  Delighted I am to have your good account of dear Mr. Martin, though you are naughty people to persist in going to England so soon.  Do write to me and tell me all about both of you.  I will do what I can—­like the Pope—­but what can I do?  Yes, indeed, I mean to enjoy art and nature too; one shall not exclude the other.  This Florence seems divine as we pass the bridges, and my husband, who knows everything, is to teach and show me all the great wonders, so that I am reasonably impatient to try my advantages.  His kind regards to you both, and my best love, dearest friends....

Your very affectionate
BA.

To Mrs. Jameson Florence:  May 12, [1847].

I was afraid, we both were afraid for you, dearest friend, when we saw the clouds gather and heard the rain fall as it did that day at Florence.  It seemed impossible that you should be beyond the evil influence, should you have travelled ever so fast; but, after all, a storm in the Apennines, like many a moral storm, will be better perhaps than a calm to look back upon.  We talked of you and thought of you, and missed you at coffee time, and regretted that so pleasant a week (for us) should have gone so fast, as fast as a dull week, or, rather, a good deal faster.  Dearest friend, do believe that we felt your goodness in Coming to us—­in making us an object—­before you left Italy; it fills up the measure of goodness and kindness for which we shall thank and love you all our lives.  Never fancy that we can forget you or be less touched by the memory of what you have been to us in affection and sympathy—­never.  And don’t you lose sight of us; do write often, and do, do make haste and come back to Italy, and then make use of us in any and every possible way as house-takers or house-mates, for we are ready to accept the lowest place or the highest.  The week you gave us would be altogether bright and glad if it had not been for the depression and anxiety on your part.  May God turn it all to gain and satisfaction in some unlooked-for way.  To be a road-maker is weary work, even across the Apennines of life.  We have not science enough for it if we have strength, which we haven’t either.  Do you remember how Sindbad shut his eyes and let himself be carried over the hills by an eagle? That was better than to set about breaking stones.  Also what you could do you have done; you have finished your part, and the sense of a fulfilled duty is in itself satisfying—­is and must be.  My sympathies go with you entirely, while I wish your dear Gerardine to be happy; I wish it from my heart....  Just after you left us arrived our box with the precious