My dear Sir,

My Aunt has communicated to me, that part of your letter to her, wherein you kindly request to be rememberd to me, and at the same time appear to be at a loss to account for my absence at the time of your departure from this—Let me assure you my dear Sir, to me it was a source of infinite regret that, indisposition that morning, was in some measure the cause of an appearance of neglect from me, and which deprived me of an opportunity of expressing my wishes for your safety, which was the sincere wish of my heart—Confind to my room, which is remote from the door which carriages drive up to, I did not hear its approach, therefore was not apprized of your departure untill some time after, nor did I expect you to have set off that morning so soon knowing it was your intention to proceed no farther than the City that day—Indisposition however should not have prevented my doing what was evidently my duty, had I not been led to believe, I should have been apprized of your setting off, by Mr Lear’s saying when he left my room he should see me again before his departure, this amidst the hurry of business I suppose he forgot—If these circumstances combined can in any manner exculpate me from my appearance of neglect I shall be happy—and be assured my dear Sir, whenever I am intentionally neglectful, or fail in that respect so much the due of an indulgent Uncle and Aunt, I shall think a forfeiture of your friendship, and a dismission from your House (where tis my happiness to be) a punishment justly my due—I am sensible I possess too great a degree of diffidence, which often renders me awkward, and may be construed into inattention, or want of respect—But if I know my own heart, Sir, it proceeds from no such cause—How cheerfully would I devest my self of it—But time as yet has not been able to affect it, altho aided by my own exertions; but you my dear Sir must already have witnessed this defect of nature in me, and will from your indulgent disposition, make such allowances as it deserves.