Her only dependence for information of any kind was on Isabella.

James had protested against writing to her till his return to Oxford; and Mrs.
Allen had given her no hopes of a letter till she had got back to Fullerton.

But Isabella had promised and promised again; and when she promised a thing, she was so scrupulous in performing it! This made it so particularly strange! For nine successive mornings, Catherine wondered over the repetition of a disappointment, which each morning became more severe: but, on the tenth, when she entered the breakfast-room, her first object was a letter, held out by Henry's willing hand.

She thanked him as heartily as if he had written it himself.

"'Tis only from James, however," as she looked at the direction.