January 31, 2000 THE TALBOTS, INC. 175 Beal Street Hingham, MA 02043 CONFIRMATION OF EXTENSION Re: Revolving Credit Agreement made as of January 25, 1994, First Amendment dated November 21, 1995, and Second Amendment dated April 18, 1996, between The...

                 [LETTERHEAD OF THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD.]





                                                    January 31, 2000

THE TALBOTS, INC.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000

                            CONFIRMATION OF EXTENSION

Re:  Revolving  Credit  Agreement made as of January 25, 1994,  First  Amendment
dated November 21, 1995, and Second Amendment dated April 18, 1996,  between The
Talbots,  Inc.  as  borrower,   and  The  Dai-Ichi  Kangyo  Bank,  Limited  (the
"Agreement")

Dear Sirs:

We are  pleased  to confirm  with you the one year  extension  of the  Revolving
Credit according to Section  14(j)(i) of the Agreement.  The new expiry date is
January 28, 2002.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD.
                                               NEW YORK BRANCH


                                               By:   XXXXXXX XXXXX
                                                     -----------------------
                                                     Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
                                                     Senior Vice President &
                                                     Department Head


cc:      Mr. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
         Xxxxx (U.S.A.), Inc.