12.  Wednesday.
[Post-mark, June 25, 1845.]

Pomegranates you may cut deep down the middle and see into, but not hearts,—­so why should I try and speak?

Friday is best day because nearest, but Saturday is next best—­it is next near, you know:  if I get no note, therefore, Friday is my day.

Now is Post-time,—­which happens properly.

God bless you, and so your own

R.B.

E.B.B. to R.B.

Thursday Evening.
[Post-mark, June 27, 1845.]

After all it must be for Saturday, as Mrs. Hedley comes again on Friday, to-morrow, from New Cross,—­or just beyond it, Eltham Park—­to London for a few days, on account of the illness of one of her children.  I write in the greatest haste after Miss Mitford has left me ... and so tired! to say this, that if you can and will come on Saturday, ... or if not on Monday or Tuesday, there is no reason against it.

Your friend always,

E.B.B.

R.B. to E.B.B.

Friday Morning.
[Post-mark, June 27, 1845.]

Let me make haste and write down To-morrow, Saturday, and not later, lest my selfishness be thoroughly got under in its struggle with a better feeling that tells me you must be far too tired for another visitor this week.

What shall I decide on?

Well—­Saturday is said—­but I will stay not quite so long, nor talk nearly so loud as of old-times; nor will you, if you understand anything of me, fail to send down word should you be at all indisposed.  I should not have the heart to knock at the door unless I really believed you would do that.  Still saying this and providing against the other does not amount, I well know, to the generosity, or justice rather, of staying away for a day or two altogether.  But—­what ‘a day or two’ may not bring forth!  Change to you, change to me—­

Not all of me, however, can change, thank God—­

Yours ever

R.B.

Or, write, as last night, if needs be:  Monday, Tuesday is not so long to wait.  Will you write?

E.B.B. to R.B.

Friday Evening.
[Post-mark, June 28, 1845.]

You are very kind and always—­but really that does not seem a good reason against your coming to-morrow—­so come, if it should not rain.  If it rains, it concludes for Monday ... or Tuesday; whichever may be clear of rain.  I was tired on Wednesday by the confounding confusion of more voices than usual in this room; but the effect passed off, and though Miss Mitford was with me for hours yesterday I am not unwell to-day.  And pray speak bona verba about the awful things which are possible between this now and Wednesday.  You continue to be better, I do hope?  I am forced to the brevity you see, by the post on one side, and my friends on the other, who have so long overstayed the coming of your note—­but it is enough to assure you that you will do no harm by coming—­only give pleasure.