over the way. We shall remain here until the second week in
September. Stay where you are, or, at all events, do not dream of
joining me....Colonel Daw is sitting on the piazza looking rather
wicked. I have not seen Marjorie since I parted with her in the
garden.


XII.

EDWARD DELANEY TO THOMAS DILLON, M.D., MADISON
SQUARE, NEW YORK.

August 30, 1872.

My Dear Doctor: If you have any influence over Flemming, I beg of
you to exert it to prevent his coming to this place at present.
There are circumstances, which I will explain to you before long,
that make it of the first importance that he should not come into
this neighborhood. His appearance here, I speak advisedly, would be
disastrous to him. In urging him to remain in New York, or to go to
some inland resort, you will be doing him and me a real service. Of
course you will not mention my name in this connection. You know me
well enough, my dear doctor, to be assured that, in begging your
secret cooperation, I have reasons that will meet your entire
approval when they are made plain to you. We shall return to town
on the 15th of next month, and my first duty will be to present
myself at your hospitable door and satisfy your curiosity, if I
have excited it. My father, I am glad to state, has so greatly
improved that he can no longer be regarded as an invalid. With
great esteem, I am, etc., etc.