There was but one time, but one occasion, after the rash step I was
precipitated upon, that I would hope to be excused looking up to you
in the character of a brother and friend. And NOW is that time, and
THIS the occasion. NOW, at reading this, will you pity your late unhappy
sister! NOW will you forgive her faults, both supposed and real! And
NOW will you afford to her memory that kind concern which you refused to
her before!

I write, my Brother, in the first place, to beg your pardon for the
offence my unhappy step gave to you, and to the rest of a family so dear
to me.

Virgin purity should not so behave as to be suspected, yet, when you come
to know all my story, you will find farther room for pity, if not more
than pity, for your late unhappy sister!

O that passion had not been deaf! That misconception would have given
way to inquiry! That your rigorous heart, if it could not itself be
softened (moderating the power you had obtained over every one) had
permitted other hearts more indulgently to expand!

But I write not to give pain. I had rather you should think me faulty
still, than take to yourself the consequence that will follow from
acquitting me.

Abandoning therefore a subject which I had not intended to touch upon,
(for I hope, at the writing of this, I am above the spirit of
recrimination,) let me tell you, Sir, that my next motive for writing to
you in this last and most solemn manner is, to beg of you to forego any
active resentments (which may endanger a life so precious to all your