"February 8. 1816.
"Do not mistake me--I really returned your book for the reason
assigned, and no other. It is too good for so careless a fellow. I
have parted with all my own books, and positively won't deprive you
of so valuable 'a drop of that immortal man.'
"I shall be very glad to see you, if you like to call, though I am
at present contending with 'the slings and arrows of outrageous
fortune,' some of which have struck at me from a quarter whence I
did not indeed expect them--But, no matter, 'there is a world
elsewhere,' and I will cut my way through this as I can.
"If you write to Moore, will you tell him that I shall answer his
letter the moment I can muster time and spirits? Ever yours,
"BN."
* * * * *
The rumours of the separation did not reach me till more than a week
afterwards, when I immediately wrote to him thus:--"I am most anxious to
hear from you, though I doubt whether I ought to mention the subject on
which I am so anxious. If, however, what I heard last night, in a letter
from town, be true, you will know immediately what I allude to, and just
communicate as much or as little upon the subject as you think
proper;--only _something_ I should like to know, as soon as possible,
from yourself, in order to set my mind at rest with respect to the truth
or falsehood of the report." The following is his answer:--