To
(Name)
(Address)
(Date)
Dear (Name),
I am writing this letter to ask you to do me a favour which I am afraid, will give you pain, but which, after a serious thought, I realised will be better for you and best for me. I wish you to please free me from the bond of engagement. In such matters, you will agree, one should be very frank and so am I being with you. I trust you had realised it yourself at my last meeting with you that marriage without love is nothing but mockery. I had respect for you and that still there is for you but the two attitudes are quite apart from each other. I knew it always and now I want you also to know that I never really love you, and if I consented to marry you, it was out of a respectful consideration for your scholarship and not any true affection on my part. I once again assure you that if ever a woman respected a man, I do you because I am conscious of your high qualities, but respect is, I say again, of a higher plane than love and I am a small mortal. May I therefore think that you understand my sentiments and you know that when I say something I mean it, especially when the word means much to you.
So, please forgive me although I know it is not easy to say that I forgive you and do not take offence because none is intended. I hope you will allow me to consider myself always.
Your sincerely friend,
(Your Name)