She was absent from home; but I had scarcely entered the house when one of her domestics presented me a letter.

I opened and read as follows: "To Clara Wieland, "What shall I say to extenuate the misconduct of last night?
It is my duty to repair it to the utmost of my power, but the only way in which it can be repaired, you will not, I fear, be prevailed on to adopt.

It is by granting me an interview, at your own house, at eleven o'clock this night.

I have no means of removing any fears that you may entertain of my designs, but my simple and solemn declarations.

These, after what has passed between us, you may deem unworthy of confidence.