On the following day I received the annexed rejoinder from Lord Byron:—­

LETTER 74.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “8.  St. James’s Street, October 29. 1811.

     “Sir,

“Soon after my return to England, my friend, Mr. Hodgson, apprised me that a letter for me was in his possession; but a domestic event hurrying me from London, immediately after, the letter (which may most probably be your own) is still unopened in his keeping.  If, on examination of the address, the similarity of the handwriting should lead to such a conclusion, it shall be opened in your presence, for the satisfaction of all parties.  Mr. H. is at present out of town;—­on Friday I shall see him, and request him to forward it to my address.

“With regard to the latter part of both your letters, until the principal point was discussed between us, I felt myself at a loss in what manner to reply.  Was I to anticipate friendship from one, who conceived me to have charged him with falsehood?  Were not advances, under such circumstances, to be misconstrued,—­not, perhaps, by the person to whom they were addressed, but by others?  In my case, such a step was impracticable.  If you, who conceived yourself to be the offended person, are satisfied that you had no cause for offence, it will not be difficult to convince me of it.  My situation, as I have before stated, leaves me no choice.  I should have felt proud of your acquaintance, had it commenced under other circumstances; but it must rest with you to determine how far it may proceed after so auspicious a beginning.  I have the honour to be,” &c.

* * * * *

Somewhat piqued, I own, at the manner in which my efforts towards a more friendly understanding,—­ill-timed as I confess them to have been,—­were received, I hastened to close our correspondence by a short note, saying, that his Lordship had made me feel the imprudence I was guilty of, in wandering from the point immediately in discussion between us; and I should now, therefore, only add, that if, in my last letter, I had correctly stated the substance of his explanation, our correspondence might, from this moment, cease for ever, as with that explanation I declared myself satisfied.

This brief note drew immediately from Lord Byron the following frank and open-hearted reply:—­

LETTER 75.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “8.  St. James’s Street, October 30. 1811.

     “Sir,