depravity has already cost me----but thy last act is destined to surpass
all former ones.

Thy perseverance in wickedness, thy inflexible imposture, amazes me
beyond all utterance. Thy effrontery in boasting of thy innocence, in
calling this wretch thy _friend_, thy _soul's_ friend, the means
of securing the favour of a pure and all-seeing Judge, exceeds all that I
supposed possible in human nature. And that thou, Jane, the darling of my
heart, and the object of all my care and my pride, should be this
profligate, this obdurate creature!

When very young, you were ill of a fever. The physician gave up, for
some hours, all hope of your life. I shall never forget the grief which
his gloomy silence gave me. All that I held dear in the world, I then
thought, I would cheerfully surrender to save your life.

Poor, short-sighted wretch that I was! That event which, had it then
happened, would perhaps have bereaved me of reason, would have saved me
from a portion far more bitter. I should have never lived to witness the
depravity of one whom my whole life had been employed in training to
virtue.

Having opened your letter, and somewhat debated with myself, I
consented to read. I will do more than read; I will answer it minutely. I
will unfold that secret by which, you truly think, my aversion to your
present scheme has been chiefly caused.

I have hitherto been silent through compassion to you; through the hope
that all might yet be well; that you might be influenced by my persuasions
to forbear an action that will insure forever your ruin. I now perceive