, till the wretch's fury,
on losing you, and his search, are over.

He will very soon, 'tis likely, enter upon some new villany, which may
engross him: and it may be given out, that you are gone to lay claim to
the protection of your cousin Morden at Florence.

Possibly, if he can be made to believe it, he will go over, in hopes to
find you there.

After a while, I can procure you a lodging in one of our neighbouring
villages, where I may have the happiness to be your daily visiter. And
if this Hickman be not silly and apish, and if my mother do not do
unaccountable things, I may the sooner think of marrying, that I may,
without controul, receive and entertain the darling of my heart.

Many, very many, happy days do I hope we shall yet see together; and as
this is my hope, I expect that it will be your consolation.

As to your estate, since you are resolved not to litigate for it, we will
be patient, either till Colonel Morden arrives, or till shame compels
some people to be just.

Upon the whole, I cannot but think your prospects now much happier than
they could have been, had you been actually married to such a man as
this. I must therefore congratulate you upon your escape, not only from
a horrid libertine, but from so vile a husband, as he must have made to
any woman; but more especially to a person of your virtue and delicacy.

You hate him, heartily hate him, I hope, my dear--I am sure you do. It
would be strange, if so much purity of life and manners were not to abhor
what is so repugnant to itself.

In your letter before me, you mention one written to me for a feint.* I
have not received any such. Depend upon it, therefore, that he must have
it. And if he has, it is a wonder that he did not likewise get my long
one of the 7th. Heaven be praised that he did not; and that it came safe
to your hands!

* See Vol. V. Letters XXI. and XXII.

I send this by a young fellow, whose father is one of our tenants, with
command to deliver it to no other hands but your's. He is to return
directly, if you give him any letter. If not, he will proceed to London
upon his own pleasures. He is a simple fellow; but very honest. So you
may say anything to him. If you write not by him, I desire a line or
two, as soon as possible.

My mother knows nothing of his going to you; nor yet of your abandoning
the fellow. Forgive me! But he is not entitled to good manners.

I shall long to hear how you and Mrs. T