CHAPTER IV
BREAKING OFF ENGAGEMENTS
=252. From a Gentleman to His Fiancée Asking Her to put an End to Their Engagement.=
D----, January 19, 19--.
My Dear Susan:--
I have hesitated long before writing to you on a rather delicate subject, but trust you will not be hurt or offended if I say that our tastes are so opposite, that married life under such circumstances could not fail to result in unhappiness to both of us. Your heart is evidently set on the enjoyment of all the gaieties of life, while my ideas are centered in domestic quiet and repose. I have neither the means nor the inclination to enter into the former, and you would hardly content yourself with the latter. You cannot but acknowledge the truth of my statement, and I have no doubt you will see the necessity of putting an end at once to an engagement that is in every way unsuitable.
Believe me, dear Miss Belden,
Very truly yours, FRANK B. RICE.
=253. From a Young Lady to Her Fiancé Putting an end to Their Engagement.=
A----, December 5, 19--.
Dear Charles:--
It is only after much serious thinking that I write you this note. Some time you will thank me for it.
Is it not better, in a matter that concerns the happiness of two lives, to undo a mistake at any cost than to wait until too late? We thought once that we truly loved each other, but we have found, during the period of our engagement, that in many grave respects we are not congenial. Our tastes, our aims in life, our ideals are so diverse, that I believe our union could not be perfectly happy. When you review in your mind the occurrences of the past months, I am sure you will agree with me. It is not necessary to place the blame. Perhaps there has been no fault but hastiness. Considering everything, I would suggest that our engagement cease by mutual consent, and our friendship continue as far as seems agreeable and natural. We shall have many pleasant memories and some sad ones in common. The latter, in time, will be forgotten.
Yours sincerely, FLORENCE LUDINGTON.
=254. Answer to the Above.=
C----, December 7, 19--.
Dear Florence:--
I cannot but think that you regard our little differences too seriously. In fact, I look upon them rather as misunderstandings than differences. But since you suggest it, I consent that we call our engagement broken for the present. I agree to it only because you want to feel perfectly free, and I do so in good faith; _you are free_. Whatever the end, I shall never blame you; my faith in your sincerity and true nobility stands undiminished. In my own mind I consider our engagement as merely suspended. Doubtless time will show you what mere trifles--nothings, we might say--are dividing us. It was not lightly, my darling, that I gave you my heart.
Yours as ever, with love and devotion,
CHARLES DAVIDSON.
=255. From a Lady to Her Fiancé Breaking off Their Engagement on Account of His Coldness.=
T----, July 22, 19--.
Dear Mr. Lawrence:--
You will not feel surprised at the contents of this letter; indeed, you have hardly left me any alternative than to say our engagement is at an end. Perhaps I ought to have arrived at this decision sooner, but was reluctant to give you up until quite sure it was the right thing for me to do. I could not be happy with one whom I did not esteem as well as love, and by your conduct of late you have forfeited my good opinion, and have destroyed my faith in you. Your letters are herewith returned and I beg that you will send mine back; kindly acknowledge also receipt of the presents you have made me at different times.
Believe me,
Yours truly, MADELINE STORRS.
=256. From a Lady to Her Fiancé Breaking off Their Engagement on Account of a Change in Her Feelings toward Him.=
N----, February 10, 19--.
Dear Harry:--
I want you to believe that I am sincerely grieved at the pain this letter may occasion you, and trust you will not think harshly of me for what I am about to say. I did not rightly understand my own feelings when our engagement took place, and mistook esteem and friendship for love. Much as it costs me to make this confession, it is my clear duty to tell you I can never entertain the affection for you that one has a right to expect from a future wife.
This knowledge has made me very unhappy, but I have now determined to ask to be released from my promise; dear Harry, forgive me; I feel convinced that some day you will be as happy as you deserve, although it is not in my power to make you so.
Believe me, with unwavering friendship,
Yours very sincerely, CARRIE DUNMORE.
=257. From a Gentleman to His Fiancée Offering to Release Her from Their Engagement.=
P----, August 7, 19--.
My Dear Evelyn:--
I exceedingly regret to tell you that my darkest fears have been realized; the business disaster of which I have spoken to you has come, and it is more complete than our worst expectations had led us to believe. We have fought a long, hard fight, and, as honorable men, there was nothing else for us to do but to close our doors and put our affairs in the hands of our creditors.
Whether the firm will resume, or what the course of the future will be, is yet undecided. For myself I am not greatly troubled. As long as youth, health and hope remain, I am not afraid of the coming struggle. But there is one direct duty before me in relation to you that must be performed without delay. Under the most promising circumstances, it will be a very long time, perhaps years, before I could offer you the home and comfort on which my heart was set, and concerning which we have had so many and such delightful conversations; and it would not be fair to hold you to your engagement under these altered circumstances. I beg you, therefore, to consider yourself perfectly free to act in this matter as your judgment and heart may dictate. I will not trust myself to say what I feel on this subject further than this, that in offering you perfect freedom I am following the only honorable course due to you and to myself.
Shall be very busy evenings at the office for two or three days, but will call upon you on Friday night and we can talk matters over.
Ever, dear Evelyn,
Yours truly, MARTIN STANLEY.
=258. Answer to the Above.=
P----, August 8, 19--.
My Dear Martin:--
Your letter of yesterday was duly received. It made me very sad, and yet proud of you. You are proving so honorable and chivalrous! I am deeply sorry for this business failure. But cheer up. You have, as you say, youth on your side, and you are lacking neither in brains nor in courage. These are treasures that nothing and no one can wrest from you, and with them the future is bound to turn out bright and prosperous. I understand you wish me to act in relation to our engagement as my judgment and heart dictate. This is like you, Martin. Well, come around on Friday and we shall discuss the subject. In the meantime, be assured that no one sympathizes with you in this day of difficulty more than
Your affectionate EVELYN.
=259. From a Mother to Her Daughter's Fiancé Breaking off the Engagement.=
S----, June 14, 19--.
Dear Mr. Martin:--
It is with my daughter's consent that I write you this letter, and my painful duty is to tell you that, as there seems no prospect of your being able to make a home for her, it is cruel and unfair to hold Alva to a promise which has now lasted over two years. You have not fulfilled any of the pledges you voluntarily made, and which induced me to sanction your attentions. I understand that your family are not inclined to do anything for you, and therefore see nothing for my daughter but years of weary waiting, probably to end in ultimate disappointment.
If you have any regard for her welfare, you will, I am sure, release her from her present trying position, and accept my decision for her good without endeavoring to shake her resolution. I must ask you to send me a few lines of acquiescence; and with every wish for your success in life,
Believe me, dear Mr. Martin,
Truly yours, ALTHEA LUDLOW.
=260. From a Father to His Daughter's Fiancé Breaking off the Engagement.=
C----, October 10, 19--.
SIR:--
Circumstances that have just come to my knowledge compel me, as a matter of duty, to break off the engagement between my daughter and yourself. I have desired her to hold no further communication with you, and I have been sufficiently explicit to convince her how unworthy you are of her affection and esteem. It is unnecessary for me to give you the reasons which have induced me to form this judgment, and I only add that nothing you can say will alter my determination.
FELIX DUSENBURY.
Edward Renwick, Esq.