My daughter informs me that the letter she has just despatched to you
contains her resolution of never seeing you more. I likewise discover that
she has requested and expects a reply from you, in which, she doubts not,
you will confirm her resolution.
You, no doubt, regard me as your worst enemy. No request from me can
hope to be complied with; yet I cannot forbear suggesting the propriety of
your refraining from making any answer to my daughter's letter.
In my treatment of you, I shall not pretend any direct concern for your
happiness. I am governed, whether erroneously or not, merely by views to
the true interest of Mrs. Talbot, which, in my opinion, forbids her to
unite herself to you. But if that union be calculated to bereave her of
happiness, it cannot certainly be conducive to yours. If you consider the
matter rightly, therefore, instead of accounting me an enemy, you will
rank me among your benefactors.
You have shown yourself, in some instances, not destitute of
generosity. It is but justice to acknowledge that your late letter to me
avows sentiments such as I by no means expected, and makes me disposed to
trust your candour to acquit my intention, at least, of some of the
consequences of your father's resentment.
I was far from designing to subject you to violence or ignominy, and
meant nothing by my application to him but your genuine and lasting
happiness.
I dare not hope that it will ever be in my power to appease that
resentment which you feel for me. I cannot expect that you are so far
raised above the rest of men, that any action will be recommended to you
by its tendency to oblige me; yet I cannot conceal from you that your
reconcilement with your father will give me peculiar satisfaction.
I ventured on a former occasion to make you an offer, on condition of
your going to Europe, which I now beg leave to repeat. By accepting the
enclosed bill, and embarking for a foreign land without any further
intercourse, personally or by letter, with my daughter, and after
reconciliation with your father, you will confer a very great favour on
one who, notwithstanding appearances, has acted in a manner that becomes
Your true friend,