But if you ask me to say that I do not feel a sense of wrong,
or to express a wish to meet you, or to trust you any longer as I
have hitherto trusted you, I must decline saying anything of the
kind, because it would not be true.
Of course I know that there cannot be omelettes without breaking
eggs; and I suppose that there cannot be what are called
psychological novels, without violating confidences. But you cannot
be surprised, when you encourage an old friend to trust you and
confide in you, and then draw an ugly caricature of him in a book,
if he thinks the worse of you in consequence. I hear that the book
is a great success; you must be content with the fact that the
yolks are as golden as they are. Please do not write to me again on
the subject. I will try to forget it, and if I succeed, I will let
you know.
Yours ----
That is the kind of letter that poisons life for a while. While I
am aware that I meant no treachery, I am none the less aware that I
have contrived to be a traitor. Of course one vows one will never
write another line; but I do not suppose I shall keep the vow. I
reply shortly, eating all the dirt I can collect; and I shall try
to forget it too; though it is a shabby end of an old friendship.
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