Transcription

[[underline]] only [[/underline]] proceed from your Affection for [[underline]] me, [[/underline]] and your desire of promoting my happiness, and that of a Worthy Man. It is [[underline]] not [[/underline]] a fancy taken up Vaguely, our acquaintance having existed for twelve years, and our Attachment been [[underline]] mutually acknowledged Nine years ago. To you [[/underline]] we look up for our future Comfort and peace of Mind. [[underline]] Your Sanction [[/underline]] is what we aspire to! And as of course it will be necessary to keep it a Secret and that it must be quite a [[underline]] Private Marriage [[/underline]] if You think it more proper in [[underline]] Your Situation [[/underline]] not to be present at it /which I I need not assure You would be a sad disappointment [[underline]] to us both [[/underline]] ) I then intreat your permission that Dear Frederick may attend for you. The World if it ever hears of this Circumstance may be astonished, but it cannot blame our Conduct, especially when it knows we are supported and Countenanced by my Brothers; nor can it alledge any deceit to our behaviour. Our Sentiments were of too delicate a Nature for us to make them known, unless at a moment where we might hope to have our Sufferings relieved. Nothing is more repugnant to my Principles or more grating to my feelings at all times, then the not acting with Candour to every individual, and more particularly so towards my own family, but this was [[underline]] my own Secret, [[/underline]] and in no particular can I tax my Heart with having deceived them on this occasion for there is [[underline]] no duplicity in Silence [[/underline]] - Should your answer be favorable to my Hearts Dearest and nearest wish, then I shall beg of you to have the goodness to name it to the Queen. No consideration in the World /even certain of [[underline]] all that is Essential Your Permission [[/underline]] / shall make me