“My own present troubles may make me more unhappy in certain circumstances, but shall never make me unjust. Appearances may be against me. On your return I shall open my heart to you, and you shall judge. All I can say here is, that I have lost everything. I have a son still, but he is in the enemy’s chains, and that enemy has means of intelligence everywhere, which informs him both of what is and of what is not. I ought to be more circumspect than others; but, all the same, no consideration shall prevent me from keeping my promises. If I meet unjust men as I go along, so much the worse for the master whom they serve, and for the faithful subjects who may have relations with them, particularly in these critical times. What I now have the honour to write to you, will be an enigma to you for the present. I will explain to you when you return, but I think I may presume that your discernment will have given you an indication to the solution. No, madam, it was not because the money was not delivered to me at the time you arranged that I had ceased to ask for it. I remember very well that you were kind enough to say you would lend the 200 francs which I asked you for, if it was possible for you to do so. The impulse which moved me in that matter was natural in an unhappy father, deserted and mourned for by those who ought to have protected him. I added, in speaking to you then, that I had inherited some means from my father, which would put me in a position to be able to pay this debt; but that heritage was in reality such a small affair I dare not run the risk of embarrassing my friends if God were to cut short my career. And _that_ is why I ask you not to do anything further in that affair. “Accept my deep regrets for having troubled you at a moment which must be so painful to you. I have shared your too-just regrets, and all through my life I shall sympathize with anything that concerns your affections. It is the natural consequence of my respectful and undying attachment for the friend of my unfortunate son. “My friend assures you of his respect, and of the sympathy he felt in the cruel loss which you have suffered.” _Will of Lady Atkyns._ “January 6, 1835.