His conduct toward his aunt I can only
characterize as callous. Of his conduct towards me I prefer to say
no more. I came forward at a moment when he was likely to be sunk
in the most abject poverty, and my reward has been ingratitude. I
pray that his dark and stubborn temperament may not turn to vice
and folly as he grows older, but I have little hope of its not
doing so. I confess that to me his future seems dismally black. You
may have acquired some kind of influence over his emotions, if he
has any emotions, but I am not inclined to suppose that it will
endure.
On hearing from you that you persist in your offer to assume
complete responsibility for my nephew, I will hand him over to your
care at once. I cannot pretend that I shall be sorry to see the
last of him, for I am not a hypocrite. I may add that his clothes
are in rather a sorry state. I had intended to equip him upon his
entering the office of my old friend Mr. Hitchcock and with that
intention I have been letting him wear out what he has. This, I may
say, he has done most effectually.
I am, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Henry Lidderdale.
To which Mr. Ogilvie replied:
The Vicarage,
Meade Cantorum,
Bucks.
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