"April 20. 1812.
"My dear Bankes,
"I feel rather hurt (not savagely) at the speech you made to me
last night, and my hope is, that it was only one of your _profane_
jests. I should be very sorry that any part of my behaviour should
give you cause to suppose that I think higher of myself, or
otherwise of you than I have always done. I can assure you that I
am as much the humblest of your servants as at Trin. Coll.; and if
I have not been at home when you favoured me with a call, the loss
was more mine than yours. In the bustle of buzzing parties, there
is, there can be, no rational conversation; but when I can enjoy
it, there is nobody's I can prefer to your own. Believe me ever
faithfully and most affectionately yours,
"BYRON."
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