Let Mr. Valmont dismiss you; that bears not the semblance of misfortune. But you shall not go to have your efforts chained down by despair, your vigour shall not be impaired by corroding doubts. When you seek delight, you shall remember your love, and the present short absence shall be the only pang her idea can inflict.
Come to my apartments. With pure hearts and hands, we will plight our fervent unspotted faith. Say I am your's, and you are mine, and sorrow and jealousy will vanish as a mist. You shall go the transported confiding husband.
LETTER XVI
FROM ARTHUR MURDEN
TO
CLEMENT MONTGOMERY
SIR
Your letters, one and all, I suppose, have come in safety to my hands. In your last you are urgent for my answer. It is this. Although you, Mr. Montgomery, amuse your spleen or your fancy, by talking of my cold killing indifference, I have such feelings as tell me your conduct is neither that of a lover nor a man.
Farewel, Sir. I renounce your friendship. I desire only to remain a stranger to your name and remembrance.
ARTHUR MURDEN