If you come, you will find a tranquillity which you cannot have in London, and a friend who has not passed a single day without thinking of you, and who, in spite of his defects, his foibles, and his inferiority, is still one of the companions who suits you best." More letters followed from both sides in a similar strain.

Yet Gibbon quailed before a final resolution.

His aunt, Mrs.Porten, his mother, Mrs.Gibbon, his friend, Lord Sheffield, all joined in deprecating his voluntary exile.

"That is a nonsensical scheme," said the latter, "you have got into your head of returning to Lausanne--a pretty fancy; you remember how much you liked it in your youth, but now you have seen more of the world, and if you were to try it again you would find yourself woefully disappointed." Deyverdun, with complete sympathy, begged him not to be in too great a hurry to decide on a course which he himself desired so much.

"I agree with you," he wrote to Gibbon, "that this is a sort of marriage, but I could never forgive myself if I saw you dissatisfied in the sequel, and in a position to reproach me." Gibbon felt it was a case demanding decision of character, and he came to a determination with a promptitude and energy not usual with him.