“You must excuse my troubling you once more upon this very unpleasant subject.  It would be a satisfaction to me, and I should think, to yourself, that the unopened letter in Mr. Hodgson’s possession (supposing it to prove your own) should be returned ’in statu quo’ to the writer; particularly as you expressed yourself ’not quite easy under the manner in which I had dwelt on its miscarriage.’

“A few words more, and I shall not trouble you further.  I felt, and still feel, very much flattered by those parts of your correspondence, which held out the prospect of our becoming acquainted.  If I did not meet them in the first instance as perhaps I ought, let the situation I was placed in be my defence.  You have now declared yourself satisfied, and on that point we are no longer at issue.  If, therefore, you still retain any wish to do me the honour you hinted at, I shall be most happy to meet you, when, where, and how you please, and I presume you will not attribute my saying thus much to any unworthy motive.  I have the honour to remain,” &c.

* * * * *

On receiving this letter, I went instantly to my friend, Mr. Rogers, who was, at that time, on a visit at Holland House, and, for the first time, informed him of the correspondence in which I had been engaged.  With his usual readiness to oblige and serve, he proposed that the meeting between Lord Byron and myself should take place at his table, and requested of me to convey to the noble Lord his wish, that he would do him the honour of naming some day for that purpose.  The following is Lord Byron’s answer to the note which I then wrote:—­

LETTER 76.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “8.  St. James’s Street, November 1, 1811.

     “Sir,

“As I should be very sorry to interrupt your Sunday’s engagement, if Monday, or any other day of the ensuing week, would be equally convenient to yourself and friend, I will then have the honour of accepting his invitation.  Of the professions of esteem with which Mr. Rogers has honoured me, I cannot but feel proud, though undeserving.  I should be wanting to myself, if insensible to the praise of such a man; and, should my approaching interview with him and his friend lead to any degree of intimacy with both or either, I shall regard our past correspondence as one of the happiest events of my life.  I have the honour to be,

     “Your very sincere and obedient servant,

     “BYRON.”

* * * * *