Age of Innocence

Dear Ellen,

I am sorry that to say that I am not able to come. I have been called away on urgent news. I am deeply sorry and humbly beg your forgiveness. The last few days have been terribly dreadful without you. Our last meeting was interesting, to say the least. I only wish that you had told me of the reason of your escape. To be honest, I felt a little shock at seeing Julius Beaufort in his fur collar stroll up the beaten path. I cannot understand why you would run away from everything like that.

Also, these cryptic messages truly frustrate me. I suppose in reality we live in a hieroglyphic world, but I am beginning to find them unnecessary and truly frustrating. On a lighter note, I do hope that we shall soon meet and all will be explained.

I truly admire and respect your courage to live by your own rules and not restrict yourself to ours. You have made me see myself and others in a wholly new and different perspective. And for what it's worth, I will truly miss all of our memories if you were to move from your unique abode.

Sincerely,

Archer

Dear Archer,

There is so much I wish to say to you but I cannot say it within these lines. I must meet you in person and speak with you face to face. I do hope that nothing bad has happened. I do not know what I would ever do without you. You have helped me settle into New York and taught me much. I am just beginning to understand New York society and its comprehensive rules and traditions. I had to leave because frankly, things were becoming overwhelming. Do you not ever feel as if sometimes you have to escape?

I am truly sorry that you find my notes too cryptic. It is much different here than it is in Europe. I suppose that many of my other actions have been looked down upon. I must be more careful in what I say and what I don't say. I do hope that you will come soon as I miss your pleasing company.

I am happy that you find my individuality to be quite likable, but I'm afraid that in a society like New York it is frowned upon. I am beginning to understand why you believe that New York is a hieroglyphic world. There is more said in what is not said.

I hope that you and May are doing fine. She is