My dearest life! admit me to your presence but for two minutes, and
confirm your promised pardon; and may lightning blast me on the spot, if
I offer any thing but my penitence, at a shrine so sacred!--I will
afterwards leave you for a whole day; till to-morrow morning; and then
attend you with writings, all ready to sign, a license obtained, or if it
cannot, a minister without one. This once believe me! When you see the
reality of the danger that gave occasion for this your unhappy
resentment, you will think less hardly of me. And let me beseech you to
perform a promise on which I made a reliance not altogether ungenerous.
I cannot see you! Would to Heaven I never had! If I write, that's all I
can do.
Let your writing then, my dearest life, confirm your promise: and I will
withdraw in expectation of it.