It was written from Boulogne.
It began with a long explanation of settlements of his property, in which he had been engaged since their departure.

The chief feature in the business was that Mrs.Millborne found herself the absolute owner of a comfortable sum in personal estate, and Frances of a life-interest in a larger sum, the principal to be afterwards divided amongst her children if she had any.

The remainder of his letter ran as hereunder:-- 'I have learnt that there are some derelictions of duty which cannot be blotted out by tardy accomplishment.

Our evil actions do not remain isolated in the past, waiting only to be reversed: like locomotive plants they spread and re-root, till to destroy the original stem has no material effect in killing them.

I made a mistake in searching you out; I admit it; whatever the remedy may be in such cases it is not marriage, and the best thing for you and me is that you do not see me more.