Enough time spent in melancholy does change sorrow to comfort; such solemnity is now my natural habitat. But even the most isolated chamber might have a window which looks out upon the world, and if some stranger should happen to pass beneath it, I suppose I should be fortunate to call out to them, and find a brief spark of company. It does me harm to think on the tragedies of my past, and I should not place the burden of such torment on one such as you, brave, bold and honest soul that you seem. Permit me to say you also seem a wise soul for twenty-one, with wise words: though, if you indeed have lost your parents, it is not so surprising a thought, and clearly tragedy - villain that it is - has not spared you either, which I am most sorry for.

And you too seek companionship, you say. My hopes are tempered, for the time, but I should be much obliged to a window into another's brighter, blossoming life, however briefly... might you write me something more about yourself? Your letter would be a light in all this darkness.

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