I am now reasonable enough to enjoy your happiness as my own; and, since you are most kind when I least deserve it, how can I express my gratitude for giving up the scruple that was so distressing to me!  Convince me you are in earnest by giving me notice that you will write to Charingcross while the Neapolitans are at Florence.(758) I will look on that as a clearer proof of your forgiving my criminal letter, than your return before you like it.  It is most sure that nothing is more solid or less personal than my friendship for you two; and even my complaining letter, though unjust and unreasonable, proved that the nearer I thought myself to quitting the world, the more my heart was set on my two friends; nay, they had occupied the busiest moments of my illness as well as the most fretful ones.  Forgive then, my dearest friends, what could proceed from nothing but too impatient affection.  You say most truly you did not deserve my complaints:  your patience and temper under them make me but more in the wrong; and to have hurt you, who have known but too much grief, is such a contradiction to the whole turn of my mind ever since I knew you, that I believe my weakness from illness was beyond even what I suspected.  It is sure that, when I am in my perfect senses, the whole bent of my thoughts is to promote your and your sister’s felicity; and you know nothing can give me satisfaction like your allowing me to be of use to you.  I speak honestly, notwithstanding my unjust letter; I had rather serve you than see you.  Here let me finish this subject:  I do not think I shall be faulty to you again.

The Mother Gunning has published her letter to the Duke of Argyll, and it disappoints every body.  It is neither romantic, nor entertaining, nor abusive, but on the General and Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, and the General’s groom.  On the Bowens it is so immeasurably scurrilous, that I think they must prosecute her.  She accuses them and her husband of a conspiracy to betray and ruin his own daughter, without, even attempting to assign a motive to them.  Of the House of Argyll she says not a word.  In short, it is a most dull incoherent rhapsody, that gives no account at all of the story that gave origin to her book, and at which no mortal could guess from it; and the 246 pages contain nothing but invectives on her four supposed enemies, and endless tiresome encomiums on the virtues of her glorious darling, and the unspottable innocence of that harmless lambkin.  I would not even send it to you if I had an opportunity-you would not have patience to go through it; and there, I suppose, the absurd legend will end.  I am heartily tired of it.  Adieu!

P. S. That ever I should give you two an uneasy moment!  Oh! forgive me:  yet I do not deserve pardon in my own eyes:  and less in my own heart.

(758) His correspondents, to settle his mind as to the certainty of their return at the time they had promised, had assured him, that no financial difficulties should stand in the way; which is what he means by sending to Charing-cross (to Drummond his banker), No such difficulties occurred.  The correspondence, therefore, with Charing-cross never took place-M.B.