One of the two former, I think, should always be her option.

I long for the particulars of your story.  You must have too much time upon your hands for a mind so active as your’s, if tolerable health and spirits be afforded you.

The villany of the worst of men, and the virtue of the most excellent of women, I expect will be exemplified in it, were it to be written in the same connected and particular manner in which you used to write to me.

Try for it, my dearest friend; and since you cannot give the example without the warning, give both, for the sakes of all those who shall hear of your unhappy fate; beginning from your’s of June 5, your prospects then not disagreeable.  I pity you for the task; though I cannot willingly exempt you from it.

***

My mother will have me add, that she must insist upon your prosecuting the villain.  She repeats, that she makes that a condition on which she permits our future correspondence.  Let me therefore know your thoughts upon it.  I asked her, if she would be willing that I should appear to support you in court, if you complied?—­By all means, she said, if that would induce you to begin with him, and with the horrid women.  I think I could probably attend you, I am sure I could, were there but a probability of bringing the monster to his deserved end.

Once more your thoughts of it, supposing it were to meet with the approbation of your relations.

But whatever be your determination on this head, it shall be my constant prayer, that God will give you patience to bear your heavy afflictions, as a person ought to do who has not brought them upon herself by a faulty will:  that He will speak peace and comfort to your wounded mind; and give you many happy years.  I am, and ever will be,

Your affectionate and faithful
Anna Howe.

***

[The two preceding letters were sent by a special messenger:  in the cover
      were written the following lines:]

Monday, July 10.

I cannot, my dearest friend, suffer the enclosed to go unaccompanied by a few lines, to signify to you that they are both less tender in some places than I would have written, had they not been to pass my mother’s inspection.  The principal reason, however, of my writing thus separately is, to beg of you to permit me to send you money and necessaries, which you must needs want; and that you will let me know, if either I, or any body I can influence, can be of service to you.  I am excessively apprehensive that you are not enough out of the villain’s reach where you are.  Yet London, I am persuaded, is the place, of all others, to be private in.

I could tear my hair for vexation, that I have it not in my power to afford you personal protection!—­I am

Your ever devoted
Anna Howe.

Once more forgive me, my dearest creature, for my barbarous taunting in mine of the 5th!  Yet I can hardly forgive myself.  I to be so cruel, yet to know you so well!—­Whence, whence, had I this vile impatiency of spirit!—­