New-York City--Saturday, 2 P. M.
My own dearest Helen--
Your letters--to my mother & myself--have just been received, & I hasten to reply, in season for this afternoons [mail . . .] I cannot be in Providence until Wednesday morning; and, as I must try and get some sleep after I arrive, it is more than probable that I shall not see you until about 2 P. M. Keep up heart--for all will go well. My mother sends her dearest love and says she will return good for evil & treat you much better than your mother has treated me. Remember me to Mr. P. & believe me
Ever Your own
Edgar.
[By "My mother," Poe here means, of course, his Mother-in-law, Maria Clemm. It was very common during this period for Poe, who had grown increasingly devoted to Mrs. Clemm, to refer to her as "My own dear Mother."]
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