A mistake of yours in this respect might by itself produce fresh difficulties and have a complicating and perplexing retro effect upon the existing ones; because both, seeing that they must be sufferers in the end, may begin to look only to their own safety, and become inclined to refuse that passive obedience which till now constitutes the vehicle of your hazardous enterprize.
Approaching the conclusion of this letter, I beg to remind you of a conversation I had with you on the same subject in South Street, the 25th of last month.[157] Though you did not avow it then in direct words, I could read from your countenance and manner that you assented in your head and heart to all I had said, and in particular to the advice I volunteered at the end of my speech.

At that time I pointed out to you a period when I thought a decisive step ought to be taken on your part.

This period seems to me to have arrived.

Placing unreserved confidence into your candour and manliness, I remain, for ever, very faithfully yours, STOCKMAR.
[Footnote 156: Librarian and German Secretary to Prince Albert.] [Footnote 157: _Ante_, pp.

352-3.