| Description | (In French.)
[I add a few words without your son’s knowledge, for I promised he should read my letter to you. The poor young man is a stranger to the wiles of a not too innocent girl. He isn’t the first young man she has had a fancy to. Mr. Watt knows that in his time she was sent away because of an affair with a servant. At the beginning I told your son of this and my mind was at rest. I cannot speak frankly at present or I should lose his confidence. I must be wary to save him, and for your tranquillity. I like the girl, and if I tell him she is not worthy of his love he will resent it and be drawn closer to her. Yet he is one of the most dutiful men I have met with. An immediate separation would endanger his health and mind. I think he believes himself bound more in honour than by passion. I shall do all I can to prevent a clsoer intimacy. I have suggested that he should go with my wife to the baths pending your reply. Anyway I shall try to get him away from here quickly. Eisenach is too near, should he wish to go and stay with Mr. Streiber. Please write and tell him to go to Freyberg, but not as an outraged parent, but like a kind father.] |