[Havre, March, 1794].

Do not call me stupid, for leaving on the table the little bit of paper I was to inclose.—This comes of being in love at the fag-end of a letter of business.—You know, you say, they will not chime together.—I had got you by the fire-side, with the gigot smoking on the board, to lard your poor bare ribs—and behold, I closed my letter without taking the paper up, that was directly under my eyes! What had I got in them to render me so blind?—I give you leave to answer the question, if you will not scold; for I am,

Yours most affectionately,
Mary.