'I will acknowledge another truth: That, had I not parted with you as I
did, but permitted you to stay till I had read your journal, reflecting,
as I doubt not I shall find it, and till I had heard your bewitching
pleas in your own behalf, I feared I could not trust myself with my own
resolution. And this is the reason, I frankly own, that I have
determined not to see you, nor hear you speak; for well I know my
weakness in your favour.
'But I will get the better of this fond folly: Nay, I hope I have already
done it, since it was likely to cost me so dear. And I write this to
tell you, that I wish you well with all my heart, though you have spread
such mischief through my family.--And yet I cannot but say that I could
wish you would not think of marrying in haste; and, particularly, that
you would not have this cursed Williams.--But what is all this to me
now?--Only, my weakness makes me say, That as I had already looked upon
you as mine, and you have so soon got rid of your first husband; so you
will not refuse, to my memory, the decency that every common person
observes, to pay a twelvemonth's compliment, though but a mere
compliment, to my ashes.
'Your papers shall be faithfully returned you; and I have paid so dear
for my curiosity in the affection they have rivetted upon me for you,
that you would look upon yourself amply revenged if you knew what they
have cost me.
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