“The good tidings you bring me relative to your mission, on behalf of unfortunate Madame de L * * * * t, gives me much pleasure.
“Mr. Jerdan’s promise being given, delay in its accomplishment is all we have to complain of; and situated as this poor lady is, suffering in body and depressed in mind, delay is not only dangerous, but would be a crime against humanity and justice were it intentional, which I am persuaded it is not. The fact is, that literary men are so immersed in their pursuits, that an occasional lapse of memory must meet with all due indulgence, and in this manner we must account for Mr. Jerdan’s omission. Might I suggest, my dear Mrs. Fordyce, that, as you are delayed a few days longer in London, time yet remains to follow up your previous humane exertions for poor Madame de L * * * * t, by a line to Mr. Jerdan, reminding him of his promise, and I am quite sure he will be obliged to you for doing so.*
“As you are going to Paris, what an opportunity would be lost of conveying to the sufferer this relief. I need not press this question upon you, as I know that your own prompt benevolence will anticipate all that should be done on so pressing an occasion. God bless you, my dear Mrs. Fordyce, my hand is so weak I can hardly hold the pen; but, ill or well, am always most sincerely and affectionately yours,
