_[Havre, March, 1794]._
Do not call me stupid, for leaving on the table the little bit of paper I
was to inclose.--This comes of being in love at the fag-end of a letter
of business.--You know, you say, they will not chime together.--I had got
you by the fire-side, with the _gigot_ smoking on the board, to lard your
poor bare ribs--and behold, I closed my letter without taking the paper
up, that was directly under my eyes! What had I got in them to render me
so blind?--I give you leave to answer the question, if you will not scold;
for I am,
Yours most affectionately,
MARY.