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My dear Eliza,

Your letter has indeed struck me with a double surprise. – of the first I shall not speak at present, because I feel perhaps a little too like the honest old servant, you mention, to relish it on the sudden

As to your projected Travels to the south, I am, in Truth, surprised & allow me to say a little hurt, that you could in any degree settle such a Project, which, you must know, would agitate my Feelings, in no common Manner, without first consulting me on a point, so important to each of us. I shall speak on this subject with that perfect Sincerity, Tenderness & Resolution, which have ever prevailed in my language & conduct towards you, & I may say, towards every Creature, with whom I have had any kind of Intercourse – When you have heard what I have to communicate on this Topic, I am persuaded, your own Goodness & Generosity of Heart will induce you to postpone your promised visit to the old Countess to another year; & to chuse for your sea-bathing this Autumn some coast much nearer to you than Felpham.

It would be utterly impossible for me to be in Sussex, when you visit it, without having my spirits so agitated with inexpressible, & I must own painfully affectionate Inquietude about you, that I should be perfectly disabled from all profitable Study – nor could I