MyDearMadam,
Ihavejusthadthehonourofreceivingyourletter,forwhichIbegtoreturnmysincereacknowledgements.Iammuchconcernedtofindtherewasanythinginmybehaviourlastnightthatdidnotmeetyourapprobation;andthoughIamquiteatalosstodiscoverinwhatpointIcouldbesounfortunateastooffendyou,Ientreatyourforgiveness[...].Myesteemforyourwholefamilyisverysincere;butifIhavebeensounfortunateastogiverisetoabeliefofmorethanIfelt,ormeanttoexpress,Ishallreproachmyselffornothavingbeenmoreguardedinmyprofessionsofthatesteem.[...]ItiswithgreatregretthatIobeyyourcommandsofreturningtheletters,withwhichIhavebeenhonouredfromyou,andthelockofhair,whichyousoobliginglybestowedonme.
Iam,dearMadam,YourmostobedienthumbleServant,
JohnWilloughby.