Pope, if he consented, could no longer complain; if he dissented, Faulkner would suppress the letters.

In this dilemma, Pope first wrote to Faulkner to refuse permission, and at the same time took care that his letter should be delayed for a month.

He hoped that Faulkner would lose patience, and publish.

But Faulkner, with provoking civility, stopped the press as soon as he heard of Pope's objection.
Pope hereupon discovered that the letters were certain to be published, as they were already printed, and doubtless by some mysterious "confederacy of people" in London.

All he could wish was to revise them before appearance.