“I am, dear Madam,

“Your most obedient humble servant,

“John Willoughby.”

With what indignation such a letter as this must be read by Miss Dashwood, may be imagined. Though aware, before she began it, that it must bring a confession of his inconstancy, and confirm their separation forever, she was not aware that such language could be suffered to announce it; nor could she have supposed Willoughby capable of departing so far from the appearance of every honourable and delicate feeling⁠—so far from the common decorum of a gentleman⁠—as to send a letter so impudently cruel: a letter which, instead of bringing with his desire of a release any professions of regret, acknowledged no breach of faith, denied all peculiar affection whatever⁠—a letter of which every line was an insult, and which proclaimed its writer to be deep in hardened villainy.