Inclosed I send the ordinary draft. As you have never had reason
to doubt my sincerity, you will believe me, when I say that I feel
myself ashamed of my _real_ and _apparent_ negligence, and deeply
concerned at the subject of your last letter. That subject is of
such melancholy and weighty import, that though I fear I cannot say
anything very satisfactory, I must beg leave to defer, two or three
posts longer, the taking any farther notice of it. Allow me only
to explain, what I mean by my _apparent_ negligence. Your _former_
letter was delivered to me while I was abroad at dinner, and when
I returned home very late at night, I locked it up without having
examined the contents. The next morning it was impossible for me to
find it or to recollect how I had disposed of it: and I vainly and
indolently delayed writing from post to post, in hopes that I might
accidentally stumble upon it.--Mr. H. is probably _at_ or _near_
Bath. I am sorry to hear so indifferent an account of Mrs. H.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. GIBBON.
If there was anything in your former which you have not said in your
last letter, may I beg you to repeat it. I am perfectly well, and
shall pass my holidays in town.
[Sidenote: HIS BOOK ALMOST READY.]
271.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, 3rd January, 1776.