p.

Great Barrington 25 March1817

My dear Sir

Yours of the 27 Dec. I recieved and read
with great pleasure. It was the first letter that has reached me
from Bridwater since I left it - a period of nearly two years.
Yes there was one part of it which, while it equally excited
and disappointed my curiosity, gave me some alarm. You
inform me that you are ___________. How shall I understand
this _________? What meaning shall I give this blank?
It made my blood run cold in every vein and my hair
rise "like quills upon the fretful porcupine" when I reflected
that the word "married" might complete the sentence, and
possibly give the meaning so mysteriously witheld.
Did omen avertant! Yes, if there was no special enormity
behind the cuestion, it seems to me that you might have
spoken out - and you would do me great injustice to suppose
that, I should not be very much gratified to know any circumstance
relating to your present situation. In your next