From Miss Grace Roseberry to Mr. Horace Holmcroft.

“DEAR MR. HOLMCROFT— I snatch a few moments from my other avocations¹ to thank you for your most interesting and delightful² letter. How well you describe, how accurately³ you judge! If Literature stood a little higher as a profession, I should almost advise you — but no! if you entered Literature, how could you associate with the people whom you would be likely to meet?

“Between ourselves, I always thought Mr. Julian Gray an overrated man. I will not say he has justified⁴ my opinion. I will only say I pity him. But, dear Mr. Holmcroft, how can you, with your sound judgment⁵, place the sad alternatives now before him on the same level? To die in Green Anchor Fields, or to fall into the clutches of that vile⁶ wretch⁷ — is there any comparison between the two? Better a thousand times die at the post of duty than marry Mercy Merrick.

“As I have written the creature’s name, I may add — so as to have all the sooner done with the subject — that I shall look with anxiety for your next letter. Do not suppose that I feel the smallest curiosity about this degraded and designing woman. My interest in her is purely⁸ religious. To persons of my devout⁹ turn of mind she is an awful warning. When I feel Satan near me — it will be such a means of grace to think of Mercy Merrick!

“Poor Lady Janet! I noticed those signs of mental decay to which you so feelingly allude¹⁰ at the last interview I had with her in Mablethorpe House. If you can find an opportunity, will you say that I wish her well, here and hereafter? and will you please add that I do not omit to remember her in my prayers?

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