To the Chevalier Deterville at Malta.

Could you, Sir, foresee, without relinquishing your design, the extreme chagrin you were joining to the happiness you had prepared for me; how could you have the cruelty to let such agreeable circumstances be concluded by your departure, unless it were to make me more sensible of despair for your absence? But two days ago I tasted all the sweets of friendship, I now drink largely the bitterest pangs of it.

Celina, all affected as she is, has too well obeyed your commands. She presented me Aza, at the same time that she gave me your cruel letter; though the sight of him was the completion of all my wishes, yet at that moment grief darted through my soul; when I beheld the object of my most tender love, I did not forget that I had lost that of the sincerest friendship. Ah, Deterville! how severe is now your love! but do not think that you shall put in practice the hard resolution you have designed. The sea shall never make a total separation betwixt people so dear to each other. My name shall reach you; you shall receive my letters; you shall hear my prayers: Blood and friendship shall resume their right over your heart, and you shall again return to a family to whom I am answerable for your loss.

What! in return for so many benefactions, shall I embitter the future days of your sister? Shall I break so tender an union, and fix despair in such hearts as yours, at the time I am enjoying the fruits of your benevolence? No, it shall not be. I cannot help looking at myself with horror, as the cause of filling this happy house with mourning. I acknowledge your kindness for that which I still receive from Celina, at the time when I think she would be quite excusable for hating me; but however pleasing this kindness may be, I will renounce it, and remove for ever from a place which is odious to me, unless you return.