Having no such authority, as your past conduct now makes
clear, having no reason to hope that a proper sentiment of gratitude
to me will induce to give heed to this my most earnest request, I
am compelled to add that should you survive to-morrow's encounter,
I can in no circumstances ever again permit myself to be conscious
of your existence. If any spark survives of the affection that once
you expressed for me, or if you set any value upon the affection,
which, in spite of all that you have done to forfeit it, is the
chief prompter of this letter, you will not refuse to do as I am
asking."
It was not a tactful letter. M. de Kercadiou was not a tactful man.
Read it as he would, Andre-Louis - when it was delivered to him on
that Sunday afternoon by the groom dispatched with it into Paris
- could read into it only concern for M. La Tour d'Azyr, M. de
Kercadiou's good friend, as he called him, and prospective
nephew-in-law.
He kept the groom waiting a full hour while composing his answer.
Brief though it was, it cost him very considerable effort and
several unsuccessful attempts.
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