So that he began to prepare his mind for the reception of George Hawker as a son-in-law, and to force himself to like him.

So with shaking palsied hand he wrote:-- "Dear Girl,--In sickness or sorrow, remember that I am still your father.

I hope you will not stop long in London, but come back and stay near me.

We must forget all that has passed, and make the best of it .-- "JOHN THORNTON." Miss Thornton wrote:-- "My dearest foolish Mary,--How could you leave us like that, my love! Oh, if you had only let us know what was going on, I could have told you such things, my dear.

But now you will never know them, I hope.