better now that I should not come back till they are finished.--Your
affectionate wife,

ESTHER CRAGGS.


HOMERTON, 19th March 1839.

The paperhangers and painters have left; the carpets will be laid
and the furniture arranged to-day. I trust to see you when I come
home on the 22nd instant. This will nearly give you the week you
desired. I shall be late at the Bank on the 22nd, but if you are
fatigued with your journey there is no reason why you should not
retire to rest, and we will meet in the morning.


BLACKDEEP, 21st March 1839.

I had hoped for a little delay, for I shrank from the necessity of
announcing my resolve, although it has for some time been fixed. I
shall not return. The reason for my refusal shall be given with
perfect sincerity. I do not love you, and you do not love me. I
ought not to have married you, and I can but plead the blindness of
youth, which for you is a poor excuse. I shall be punished for the
remainder of my days, and not the least part of the punishment will
be that I have done you a grievous injury. Worse, however--ten
thousand times worse--would it be for both of us if we were to
continue chained together in apathy or hatred. I would die for you
this moment to make good what you have lost through me, but to live
with you as your wife would be a crime of which I dare not be