Twelve o'clock, Friday night.

My Dear Bankes, —

[I]

have just received your note; believe me I regret most sincerely that I was not fortunate enough to see it before, as I need not repeat to you that your conversation for half an hour would have been much more agreeable to me than gambling

[1]

or drinking, or any other fashionable mode of passing an evening abroad or at home. — I really am very sorry that I went out previous to the arrival of your despatch: in future pray let me hear from you before six, and whatever my engagements may be, I will always postpone them. — Believe me, with that deference which I have always from my childhood paid to your

talents

, and with somewhat a better opinion of your heart than I have hitherto entertained,

Yours ever, etc.