Regretfully, I fear I may not be the intended recipient of this letter, or that you may have been misled — at the very least I appear to be missing a piece of the conversation? I am sorry to disappoint you, if this is not the letter you have been led to expect.

In truth, I think that marriage and I would probably be an ill-fated pair — but I do not wish to suggest that you would be the cause of any misfortune in it! No, all the trouble is in my stars. But that is not to say I think little of romantics; I am one myself, and I applaud your desires to marry for love. I do not think you should marry for less.

Would it be very presumptuous of me, after all this, to ask to know more about your passions? Perhaps your letter still fell into my hands for a reason!

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