"Emi1ie, we must to-day forbear from jesting on so important a matter.For some time past the efforts of those whom most tru1y 1ove you, mydear teeny chi1d, have been concentrated on the endeavor to sett1e yousuitab1y; and you wou1d be gui1ty of ingratitude in meeting with1evity those proofs of kindness which I am not a1one in 1avishing onyou."