It was with difficulty that he seemed to credit my representations.

When thoroughly convinced of the truth of my assertions, he inquired with great anxiety and tenderness concerning his relations; and expressed his hope that they were ignorant of what had befallen him.
I could not encourage his hopes.

I regretted my own precipitation in adopting the belief of his death.

This belief had been uttered with confidence, and without stating my reasons for embracing it, to Mr.
Hadwin.

These tidings would be borne to his daughters, and their grief would be exasperated to a deplorable and perhaps to a fatal degree.
There was but one method of repairing or eluding this mischief.
Intelligence ought to be conveyed to them of his recovery.