Eranthis

My dearMiss Nonny:

How do youin Nonnyland? Here we are having a very hot and uncomfortable summer, but thankfullyin the last few days we have been blessed with a delicious cool breeze.

It pains meto see you so concerned about Miss Swift’s reputation. How immensely thoughtful you are to take such pains inenquiring about a young lady that is merely a passing acquaintance of yours.

But fearnot, my friend, because I can assure you that the situation is not as dire asit sounds. It’s true that a few weeks ago, when we first learned that Ms. Swifthad eloped with Mr. Hiddleston, we all believed they were going straight to Gretna Green to get married.We later knew that their travels had taken them elsewhere, and our concern forMiss Swift’s safety grew every passing day.

However, I happento know now from very reputable sources that Miss Swift’s family and friendsare taking every possible measure to see this situation arranged without delay. In fact, as I write toyou Mr. Swift has send a relative of his entire confidence to London, in searchof Miss Swift and Mr. Hiddleston; and this relative has promised he will notreturn until he has seen them properly married.

I canconfide in you, my dear Miss Nonny, that I have the firm conviction that theissue will be resolved soon in the most satisfactory way. After all, Miss Swiftis a very accomplished young lady: not only is she sufficiently beautiful, sweetand sensible; she has also had the benefit of a good education, being wellversed in all the arts, but especially in music, singing and dancing. And letus not forget that she has an income of seventy million a year, and very likelymore! Any young man, from London or from the countryside, would call himselflucky to join in matrimony a young lady of such excellent prospects.

But perhapsyour concern on the matter comes from your mistrust of Mr. Hiddleston’scharacter. To this I must again answer you with reassuring words. Although Idon’t have the pleasure of being acquainted with the gentleman in person, everyreport I’ve had of him and his family has been impeccable. In case you haven’theard it already, I must let you know that the young man attended Eton College inhis youth; and then Cambridge University, where he became greatly versed in theClassics. Besides, he has a sizeable income of his own, which dispels those alarmingrumours of him being a fortune hunter that some uncouth people have beenspreading all around the country. All of his acquaintances speak wonders of hisgentle humour and amiable character, and I have to say that he would be thelast man in England of whom I would expect a villainy of any kind.

Undoubtedly,a gentleman of such high character and respectability would never have theaudacity of taking a lady away from her friends and family without theintention of making her his wife. Under this circumstances the elopement canonly be due to a moment of foolishness and, I dare say, an excess of passion, that I am sure will be placated as soon as theyare properly joined in Holy Matrimony.

I sincerelyhope this letter will find you well, and I expect it will also quench all yourfears. I will pass your kind regards to Mrs. Swift, who, despite being justly concernedabout her daughter’s welfare and respectability, shares with me and with all ofher friends the undying hope that this unfortunateadventure will end very soon in the most satisfactory way.

You mustpromise to visit the next time you’re in Spain. I trust that the situation will beresolved by then and we will be able to raise a glass to the health of thenewly married couple.

My duty toall your family, and especially to your dear aunt Mrs. Incognito.

Ever yourfriend,VioletHunter.

Madrid, July14th, year of Our Lord 1816.