Is there no personal sacrifice by which I can compensate the affront you have received, without compromising Sir Charles Bassett's veracity, who is the soul of honor?
"I am, yours obediently, "BELLA BASSETT." She posted this letter, and Richard Bassett had no sooner received it than he mounted his horse and rode to Wheeler's with it.
That worthy's eyes sparkled.

"Capital!" said he.

"We must draw her on, and write an answer that will read well in court." He concocted an epistle just the opposite of what Richard Bassett, left to himself, would have written.

Bassett copied, and sent it as his own.
"LADY BASSETT--I thank you for writing to me at this moment, when I am weighed down by slander.

Your own character stands so high that you would not deign to write to me if you believed the abuse that has been lavished on me.