Think of me when you sit down to dinner. Henceforward eight o'clock will
probably be my bedtime. On the other hand I shall rise with the sun, or
perhaps earlier. Think of me, but do not write too often. I must first
settle down tranquilly to my new life. Later on, I shall enjoy writing
you a condensed account of all the follies which can be committed by a
woman who suddenly finds herself at a mature age complete mistress of
her actions.

Follow my advice, offered for the twentieth time: go on seeing your
friends; you cannot do without them. Really there is no need for you to
mourn for a year with crape on the chandeliers and immortelles around my
portrait.

You have been a kind, faithful, and delicate-minded friend to me, and I
am not so lacking in delicacy myself that I do not appreciate this in my
inmost heart. But I cannot accept your generous offer to give me money.
I now tell you this for the first time, because, had I said so before,
you would have done your best to over-persuade me. My small income is,
and will be, sufficient for my needs.

The train leaves in an hour. Richard, you have your business and your
friends--more friends than anyone I know. If you wish me well, wish that
I may never regret the step I have taken. I look down at my hands that
you loved--I wish I could stretch them out to you....

A man must not let himself be crushed. It would hurt me to feel that
people pitied you. You are much too good to be pitied.

Certainly it would have been better if, as you said, one of us had