Answer
IV

Distress! What have I written that has given you so much distress? And
have I been the cause of your distress ^{‸ grief}. Wretch that I am! I was born to be
unhappy; and to make thou miserable, whose felicity I most desire to
promote. My life is ebbing—but a transitorey moment shall expire and
the Scene will vanish I cannot bear the weight of your resentment
but the consciousness of having afflicted as well as angered you, drives
me to despair

How? Was I capable of harbouring such atrocious guilt? Surely My
beloved Creature, you have erred. You have misinterpreted my meaning. Am
I capable of intending the disturbance of your tranquillity; the violation of
your purity? Exalted and unblemished fair one ^{‸ excellence}! Maid ^{‸ fair one} . The mind of him
who adores thee is not less ^{‸ pure} and sinless, than thy own. Thou, whose name is
virtue, deem less injustly of me I beseach thee. Know me for the
lover of thy mind ^{‸ soul}. The graces of thy person, however unrivalled and transcende
are abundantly eclipse by the beauties of the Animating mind. It is that
to which I seek to be united—But am I not a man? And would you
punish me for faults, which are inseparable from my nature? Is it
not enough that my errors are always followed by bitter and, I hope,
effectual repentance? Permit me to remind you that—But I cannot
write. I will throw myself at your feet as soon as possible, and intreat
your favour and forgiveness there, devout creature! May thy soul be ever
a stranger to the tumults, which ^{I am} harm and harassed my Soul. But your
presence is a cure for all my sorrows, ^{‸ when I hear} your voice, ^{‸ when I press} your hand, I shall be happy
supremely happy.