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⟨Her⟩ father, indeed, is poor, and mine ⟨is⟩ rich, which constitutes all the difference between us. No reason, therefore, would or ought to have diverted me from this step. Bound by a tie which love and honour render equally dear and sacred, I entreat you to believe that ambition, authority, and even the ⟨laws⟩ themselves would be armed in vain to dissolve it. I am going to the East Indies to begin a new career. I conjure you not to trouble my destiny, ⟨by⟩ clamours which cannot change it. ⟨I⟩ desire only peace, and that I may totally forget a country which I abandon perhaps for ever. This is the only favour I can presume to implore: I hope to expect it from your justice."
This letter excited the most terrible emotions in the breast of M. de Vilmore. His vanity was too deeply hurt not to the raise the utmost fury of indignation. The comparison between his family and that of Bertrand, appeared to him the height of insult. He instantly procured two letters de catchet. St. Andre was torn from the arms of his distressed wife: he was hurried, loaded
