One of
them--the only one I need explain now, is that it will seem
natural to them I should write to my fiancee--a young, strong
girl able to bear the shock of a great surprise--asking her to break
the news gently and tactfully to my father and mother. I do
ask you to do this. How to do it I must leave to you. But
when you've told my parents that I'm alive, that I've escaped,
that I'm in Paris with Herter, that as soon as my official business
of reporting myself is finished, I'll get leave, you may put into
their hands the following pages of this letter. They will not
think it strange that the girl I am engaged to should keep the
first part for her own eyes. Thus, without your being compromised,
they will learn my adventures without having to
wait until I come. But there's just room enough left on this
first sheet to reiterate that, when Herter found me, and gave
me the somewhat disconcerting news of my engagement to
his friend, a Miss O'Malley travelling with my parents, I--simply
listened. Rather than excite his suspicions I did not even
yield to curiosity, and try to draw out a description. I could
not be sure then that I should ever see you, or my people, for
escape was difficult and there were more chances against than
for my getting out of Germany alive. Now, in all human certainty
I shall arrive at the Chateau d'Andelle (I got the address
at the bank), and you owe it to me to remain on the spot till we
can thrash out our affair together.
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