You are very earnest, by your last letter, (just given me) to hear again
from me, before you set out for Berks. I will therefore close with a few
words upon the only subject in your letter which I can at present touch
upon: and this is the letter of which you give me a copy from the lady.
Want of rest, and the sad scene I have before my eyes, have rendered me
altogether incapable of accounting for the contents of it in any shape.
You are in ecstacies upon it. You have reason to be so, if it be as you
think. Nor would I rob you of your joy: but I must say I am amazed at
it.
Surely, Lovelace, this surprising letter cannot be a forgery of thy own,
in order to carry on some view, and to impose upon me. Yet, by the style
of it, it cannot though thou art a perfect Proteus too.
I will not, however, add another word, after I have desired the return of
this, and have told you that I am
Your true friend, and well-wisher,
J. BELFORD.