But why you have been so cautious, or sweetly shy, I’m at a loss to understand, because I certainly would never be timorous about writing you any news about myself, however intimate, and feeling quite sure enough that you would not be apt to quote it either far or near--just from the very facts of our relationship. However, I don’t want you to think that I in the least minded hearing such delightful news quite orally from dear old Sam: good news is too welcome, however it comes. And now I want you--or rather want to reassure you about something that I have intended to write for some time, and in which you must believe my fullest and most intense sincerity is voiced. When grandma wrote me awhile ago about Mr. Curtis and his devotion to you--describing as she did, such a human and very lovable person, I was exceedingly happy. But when--later in the course of the letter she mentioned that you felt that no alliance was worth anything that “broke” our relationship--that made me very worried and sad. (I have spoken to you about this attitude of yours before, and you should not persist in assuming [that] what I feel is a somewhat biased and un-natural attitude toward it. I also feel that you are unduly influenced by what Zell [Deming] has to say on such subjects, and you should know that she is a very different type of personality than you and is in a very different relationship to life. The same differences--you should be aware of in whatever opinions you hear from other people on the same subject. And remember that people--sometimes no matter how much they like you--are quite ready to sacrifice your personal happiness to prove or falsely prove their own merely personal theories, etc.) What I want to repeat to you again--and with emphasis--is that I, first, have an incessant desire for your happiness. Second, that I feel you are naturally most happy--or would be, given the proper opportunity--as a married woman. And thirdly, that I have perfect faith in your ability to select a man that loves you enough, and who has spirit and goodness enough to not only make you happy,--but to please _me_ by his companionship. And you must remember, that _whoever you chose and no matter what the circumstances might be, no such element could ever affect our mutual relationship_ unless you positively willed it,--which doesn’t seem likely by the undue circumspection you feel about the matter.