I can write no more now; I must try to get through a few other
letters. I have sent no cards to Florence. What a worm I am!

Your words of love have helped me through these days; I carry the
three dear letters, along with his, in my pocket.

Good-bye, dearest; blessings upon you. I think I shall set forth in
search of you very soon. May the New Year be kind to us all!

Yours in deepest love,
EMILIA.




LETTER XXIII.


GRAYSMILL, January 1st.

My pretty sweet, I have had much happiness to-day. First of all, a
letter from you at breakfast, and one from Gabriel, then, sunshine
all the morning, and all the morning a song in my heart; to-day I
shall see him!

I set off immediately after early dinner, and walked across the
Common to the Thatched Cottage. I cannot tell you what it was to me
to catch sight of the chimney and the purling smoke again; I had to
stand still and wait a while, my heart thumped so. (A fool, eh?) I
crept noiselessly into the house, and through the hall, then