Dear Bentley

[Elsie Beauregard]

27th January 1885

Dear Bentley,

Another letter arrived today and I nearly lost it. I sat down and penned a response that was barely civil. Just the arrival of this last letter made me undeniably angry. The worst part is, I feel little remorse. The author had no way to know how seriously I feel about Tyb, but they were the cause of the ruin and for that I cannot be sympathetic.

I think heartbreak has made me bitter and it is most unbecoming; hopefully I can use it to follow through to spinsterhood. I want to give up, but I can't. Something has to give. Nothing is settled  and I can't leave it that way. There is a final answer here and I have to know what it is, I just need to find the courage to go after it.

Love,
Elsie