You are admiring my forbearance in keeping such a distance, Walter; but the fact is, I was a coward. Daily almost hourly Miss Valmont intreated she might speak with me, and I as constantly with a great many civil excuses declined the conversation. What could I have said but what had amounted to this: 'Miss Valmont, I ran away with you, because I wanted your estate, for want of a better.--As to yourself, I know nothing about you, therefore how can I care for you?' Methought, Walter, when I had your cash in hand I should be bold. Your cash came; I pocketed it; and I proudly strutted up to Miss Valmont.----The former pages will tell you the result. * * * * * The plot thickens, and I am more of Montgomery's sort than I believed I was.--Mr. Murden is dying.--Good God, Walter! who would have thought on this?--They told my messenger that he has been raving mad! and that a lady took him away for London yesterday morning.--I dare not relate to Miss Valmont these cursed tidings.--I am impatient to yield her up.--We shall travel as fast as I think her condition may allow without danger. FILMAR LETTER XXXVII FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CAROLINE ASHBURN Madam, I am certainly obliged to you for your intentions; and though I allow you have sometimes reason on your side, I think you make too little allowance for the proper obedience due from children to parents. As a parent I certainly stood both to Clement and Sibella, and they ought implicitly to have obeyed my commands. However, she poor child suffers sufficiently, and I am willing to forgive though I can never be reconciled to her. Her pregnancy will now be known to the world; and, were I again to receive her, I should co-operate in disgracing my family. I heartily wish your search may be successful; and I am ready to reimburse your expences; and also, if you find my niece, to allow her a proper establishment. My Lord of Elsings, joint guardian with me in the trust of Miss Valmont, resides at present in this neighbourhood. I have had an interview with him on the business; but I do not discover that either himself, or any one related to him, is any way concerned in taking Sibella. Will you take the trouble, in my name, to wish Clement Montgomery all the _felicity_ he may expect to find in his union with old age, folly, and affectation? Madam, Your very obedient servant, G. VALMONT LETTER XXXVIII FROM LORD FILMAR TO SIR WALTER BOYER