Norbury Park,
Aug. 10, 1784.
When my wondering eyes first looked over the letter I received last
night, my mind instantly dictated a high-spirited vindication of the
consistency, integrity, and faithfulness of the friendship thus abruptly
reproached and cast away. But a sleepless night gave me leisure to
recollect that you were ever as generous as precipitate, and that your
own heart would do justice to mine, in the cooler judgment of future
reflection. Committing myself, therefore, to that period, I determined
Simply to assure you, that if my last letter hurt either you or Mr.
Piozzi, I am no less sorry than surprised; and that if it offended you,
I sincerely beg your pardon.
Not to that time, however, can I wait to acknowledge the pain an
accusation so unexpected has caused me, nor the heartfelt satisfaction
with which I shall receive, when you are able to write it, a softer
renewal of regard.
May heaven direct and bless you! F. B.
N.B.--This is the sketch of the answer which F. B. most
painfully wrote to the unmerited reproach of not sending
“cordial congratulations” upon a marriage which she had
uniformly, openly, and with deep and avowed affliction,
thought wrong.