I cannot apologize for the manner in which I have acted in regard to
your connection with Jane Talbot. In that respect, I must take to myself
all the blame you may choose to impute to me.

I call not into question the disinterestedness of your intentions in
proposing marriage to this woman; nor, if the information which I am going
to give you should possess any influence, shall I ascribe that influence
to any thing but a commendable attention to your true interest, and a
generous regard to the welfare of my daughter.

Be it known to you then, sir, that Mrs. Talbot possesses no fortune in
her own right. Her present dwelling, and her chief means of subsistence,
are derived from me: she holds them at my option; and they will be
instantly and entirely withdrawn, on her marriage with you.

You cannot be unacquainted with the habits and views in which my
daughter has been educated. Her life has passed in ease and luxury, and
you cannot but perceive the effect of any material change in her way of
life.

It would be a wretched artifice to pretend to any particular esteem for
you, or to attempt to persuade you that any part of this letter is
dictated by any regard to your interest, except as that is subservient to
the interest of one whom I can never cease to love.

Yet I ardently hope that this circumstance may not hinder you from
accepting bills upon London to the amount of three hundred pounds
sterling. They shall be put into your hands the moment I am properly
assured that you have engaged your passage to Europe and are determined to
be nothing more than a distant well-wisher to my daughter.