She had written to her father, and Browning himself wrote--"a manly, true, straight-forward letter," she informs a friend, "...

everywhere generous and conciliating." A violent and unsparing reply was made, and with it came all the letters that his undutiful daughter had written to Mr.
Barrett; not one had been read or opened.

He returned them now, because he had not previously known how he could be relieved of the obnoxious documents.

"God takes it all into his own hands," wrote Mrs.Browning, "and I wait." Something, however, was gained; her brothers were reconciled; Arabella Barrett was constant in kindness; and Henrietta journeyed from Taunton to London to enjoy a week in her company.
It was at Devonshire Street that Bayard Taylor, the distinguished American poet and critic, made the acquaintance of the Brownings, and the record of his visit gives a picture of Browning at the age of thirty-nine, so clearly and firmly drawn that it ought not to be omitted here: "In a small drawing-room on the first floor I met Browning, who received me with great cordiality.

In his lively, cheerful manner, quick voice, and perfect self-possession, he made the impression of an American rather than an Englishman.