"Unquestionably you _need_ the Family Bible more than the
postage-stamps, which I did _not_ paste on. It must have been the
dog-days that did it.
"Of course I am not vexed at your meddling, and you only say that,
as you express it, shamming. I hate to have the thing come up again,
but it may be more effectually laid by it. One thing, though, if
all the men in the world say I have had enough, it will not alter my
relations toward Mr. Hunt. That is, if he proves conclusively that his
terms have been just and liberal, I shall still think that his course
toward me since I began to make inquiries has been ungentleman-like,
unfriendly, and calculated to arouse instead of allay suspicion, and
that Mr. Brummell was grossly impolite. So, after all, what will be
settled by a reference? Nothing but the money affair, which indeed, as
it involves justice, is much, but as it does not involve regard, is
little. However, integrity is all the world wide from and more than
good manners. I will not send for any account or money either. I let
a friend have my money for a few months to accommodate him, so that I
am penniless again; but I can borrow plenty, and Fred and Fritz are as
good as new milch cows in a house. Why I am in such a hurry to write
is, that I have a letter from Hyperion this morning, in which he seemed
to think you would be the proper person to act for Mrs.----, rather
than Sir Matthew Hale, who is occupied with the weightier matters of
the law. Now I do not want you to act for her. It would look as if you
made it a personal matter; as if we were persecuting Mr. Hunt, which
is not true. Mrs.----'s affair is as entirely different from mine as
if I did not know her at all.... I will let you know as soon as I
hear from Mr. Hunt. What day did you see Mr. Edwards? I had a letter
yesterday from Smilex conjuring me to write for the 'Heretic,' and
offering me good pay, but not stating what. I have not answered it yet.
I am in a strait betwixt two, not to say half a dozen.... If B. & H.
send to me, how will it do for you to come down? I will pay your fare,
and you can board round!"