Write to me to say you are less sad.

And love not less your Affectionate BA.
* * * * * _To Mr.Chorley_ Casa Guidi: November 25 [1859].
My dear Friend,--I thank you with all my heart for your most graceful and touching dedication,[71] and do assure you that I feel it both as honour and as pleasure.
And yet, do you know, Robert says that you might peradventure, by the dedication of your book to me, mean a covert lecture, or sarcasm, who knows?
Even if you did, the kindness of the personal address would make up for it.

Who wouldn't bear both lecture and sarcasm from anyone who begins by speaking _so_?
Therefore I am honoured and pleased and grateful all the same--yes, and _will_ be.
But, dear Mr.Chorley, you don't silence me, notwithstanding.

The spell of your dedication hasn't fastened me up in an oak for ever.

Your book is very clever; your characters very incisively given; princess and patriots admirably cut out (and up!); half truths everywhere, to which one says 'How true!' But one might as well (and better) say 'How false!' seeing that, dear Mr.Chorley, it does really take two halves to make a whole, and we know it.