"My niece is really grieved to hear of your sudden loss; happening at a moment when all seemed to be going well with you.

She begs me to assure you of her very true sympathy, and sends every good wish." Little enough, this, but the recipient tried to make much of it.

He had faintly hoped that Irene might send him a line in her own hand.

That was denied, and perhaps he was foolish even to have dreamt of it.
He could not address his verses to her, now.

He must hurry away from England, and try to forget her.
Of course she would hear, one way or another, about the circumstances of his birth.