When I get my things back, if ever,
from----, I will send you some of those dresses to dispose of at
Washington for your own benefit. If we get something, you will find that
_promises_ and performance for _this_ life will be forth-coming. * * * *
It is _mysterious_ why B. NEVER writes, and K. _once_, perhaps, in three
weeks. All this is very strange. * *

"M. L."

"CHICAGO, Sunday, Nov. 24th.

"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I wrote you on yesterday and am aware it was not a
pleasant letter, although I wrote what I fear will turn out to be
_truths_. It will be two weeks to-morrow since the legally attested
consent from me was received by B. and K., and yet _names_ have not been
obtained for it, when last heard from. * * However, we will soon see for
ourselves. If you and I are honest in our motives and intentions, it is
no reason _all_ the world is so. * * * If I should gain nothing
pecuniarily by the loud cry that has been made over my affairs, it has
been a losing game indeed. * * * * And the laugh of the world will be
against me if it turns out as I _now_ think; there is no doubt it will
be _all_ failure. If they had issued those circulars when they should
have done, before the election, then it would have been all right. Alas!
alas! what a mistake it has all been! I have thought seriously over the
whole business, and know what I am about. I am grateful for the sympathy
of Mr. F. Douglass and Mr. Garnet. I see that F. D. is advertised to
lecture in Chicago some time this winter. Tell him, for me, he must call
and see me; give him my number. If I had been able to retain a house, I
should have offered him apartments when he came to C.; as it is, I have
to content _myself_ with lodgings. An ungrateful country this! I very
much fear the malignity of Seward, Weed, and R. will operate in Congress
the coming winter, and that I will be denounced _there_, with their
infamous and villanous falsehoods. The father of wickedness and lies
will get those men when they 'pass away;' and such fiends as they are,
always linger in this mortal sphere. The agitation of mind has very much
impaired my health. * * * * Why, why was not I taken when my darling
husband was called from my side? I have been allowed no rest by those
who, in my desolation, should have protected me. * * * * How dearly I
should love to see you _this very sad day_. Never, dear Lizzie, think of
my great nervousness the night before we parted; I had been so harassed
with my fe