Boththeloversbelievedthatanimmediatemarriagewould，fromeverypointofview，bebest。Itwasnotadvisablethatitshouldbelongdelayed，iftohappenatall，forthehealthofMissBarrettwassopoorthatanotherwinterinLondonmight，probablywould，meanirretrievableharm。
SometimebeforethisshehadbecomeacquaintedwithMrs。Jameson，theeminentart-writer。Theregard，whichquicklydevelopedtoanaffectionateesteem，wasmutual。OneSeptembermorningMrs。Jamesoncalled，andafterhavingdweltonthegloomandperilofanotherwinterinLondon，dweltonthemagicofItaly，andconcludedbyinvitingMissBarretttoaccompanyherinherownimminentdepartureforabroad。Thepoetwastouchedandgrateful，but，pointingtoherinvalidsofa，andgentlyemphasisingherenfeebledhealthandotherdifficultcircumstances，excusedherselffromacceptanceofMrs。Jameson’sgenerousoffer。
Inthe“MemoirsofMrs。Jameson“thatlady’sniece，Mrs。Macpherson，relateshowontheeveofherandheraunt’sdeparture，alittlenoteoffarewellarrivedfromMissBarrett，“deploringthewriter’sinabilitytocomeinpersonandbidherfriendgood-bye，asshewas`forcedtobesatisfiedwiththesofaandsilence。’“
Itiseasytounderstand，therefore，withwhatamazementMrs。Jameson，shortlyafterherarrivalinParis，receivedaletterfromRobertBrowningtotheeffectthatheANDHISWIFEhadjustcomefromLondon，ontheirwaytoItaly。“Myaunt’ssurprisewassomethingalmostcomical，“
writesMrs。Macpherson，“sostartlingandentirelyunexpectedwasthenews。“