I have been awake all this long night, thinking of thee, my Algernon, and longing for the blissful hour of meeting.
"Come! M.G." This is the inclosier from my lady:-- "I will not tell you that your behavior on Sunday did not deeply shock me.

I had been foolish enough to think of other plans, and to fancy your heart (if you had any) was fixed elsewhere than on one at whose foibles you have often laughed with me, and whose person at least cannot have charmed you.
"My step-daughter will not, I presume, marry without at least going through the ceremony of asking my consent; I cannot, as yet, give it.
Have I not reason to doubt whether she will be happy in trusting herself to you?
"But she is of age, and has the right to receive in her own house all those who may be agreeable to her,--certainly you, who are likely to be one day so nearly connected with her.

If I have honest reason to believe that your love for Miss Griffin is sincere; if I find in a few months that you yourself are still desirous to marry her, I can, of course, place no further obstacles in your way.
"You are welcome, then, to return to our hotel.

I cannot promise to receive you as I did of old; you would despise me if I did.

I can promise, however, to think no more of all that has passed between us, and yield up my own happiness for that of the daughter of my dear husband.
"L.