During the interval of a year and a half which elapsed before Lord Byron’s return, I had taken upon myself obligations, both as husband and father, which make most men,—­and especially those who have nothing to bequeath,—­less willing to expose themselves unnecessarily to danger.  On hearing, therefore, of the arrival of the noble traveller from Greece, though still thinking it due to myself to follow up my first request of an explanation, I resolved, in prosecuting that object, to adopt such a tone of conciliation as should not only prove my sincere desire of a pacific result, but show the entire freedom from any angry or resentful feeling with which I took the step.  The death of Mrs. Byron, for some time, delayed my purpose.  But as soon after that event as was consistent with decorum, I addressed a letter to Lord Byron, in which, referring to my former communication, and expressing some doubts as to its having ever reached him, I re-stated, in pretty nearly the same words, the nature of the insult, which, as it appeared to me, the passage in his note was calculated to convey.  “It is now useless,” I continued, “to speak of the steps with which it was my intention to follow up that letter.  The time which has elapsed since then, though it has done away neither the injury nor the feeling of it, has, in many respects, materially altered my situation; and the only object which I have now in writing to your Lordship is to preserve some consistency with that former letter, and to prove to you that the injured feeling still exists, however circumstances may compel me to be deaf to its dictates, at present.  When I say ‘injured feeling,’ let me assure your Lordship, that there is not a single vindictive sentiment in my mind towards you.  I mean but to express that uneasiness, under (what I consider to be) a charge of falsehood, which must haunt a man of any feeling to his grave, unless the insult be retracted or atoned for; and which, if I did not feel, I should, indeed, deserve far worse than your Lordship’s satire could inflict upon me.”  In conclusion I added, that so far from being influenced by any angry or resentful feeling towards him, it would give me sincere pleasure if, by any satisfactory explanation, he would enable me to seek the honour of being henceforward ranked among his acquaintance.[32]

To this letter, Lord Byron returned the following answer:—­

LETTER 73.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “Cambridge, October 27. 1811.

     “Sir,

“Your letter followed me from Notts, to this place, which will account for the delay of my reply.  Your former letter I never had the honour to receive;—­be assured, in whatever part of the world it had found me, I should have deemed it my duty to return and answer it in person.

“The advertisement you mention, I know nothing of.—­At the time of your meeting with Mr. Jeffrey, I had recently entered College,