To Fanny Brawne (March (?) 1820)

March (?) 1820

My dearest Girl,
In consequence of our company I suppose I shall not see you before tomorrow. I am much better to day – indeed all I have to complain of is want of strength and a little tightness in the Chest. I envied Sam’s walk with you to day; which I will not do again as I may get very tired of envying. I imagine you now sitting in your new black dress which I like so much and if I were a little less selfish and more enthousiastic I should run round and surprise you with a knock at the door. I fear I am too prudent for a dying kind of Lover. Yet, there is a great difference between going off in warm blood like Romeo, and making one’s exit like a frog in a frost – I had nothing particular to say to day, but not intending that there shall be any interruption to our correspondence (which at some future time I propose offering to Murray) I write something I God bless you my sweet Love
Illness is a long lane, but I see you at the end of it, and shall mend my pace as well as possible

J-K