were mistaken.  You will understand that I do not say this as any reproach to you.  Quite the contrary.  I think your father is irrational; and you may well have failed to anticipate that he should be so.

As to my own feelings they remain exactly as they were when I endeavoured to explain them to you.  Though I do not find myself to be too old to marry, I do think myself too old to write love letters.  I have no doubt you believe me when I say that I entertain a most sincere affection for you; and I beseech you to believe me in saying further that should you become my wife it shall be the study of my life to make you happy.

It is essentially necessary that I should allude to one other matter, as to which I have...