Thurnall thought him gone again and again; but he pulled the poor fellow through, after all, and we got some one (that is, Campbell did) to take his duty; and brought him away, after a good deal of persuasion; for he would not move as long as there was a fresh case in the town; that is why we never wrote.

We did not know till the last hour when we should start; and we expected to be with you in two days, and give you a pleasant surprise.

He was half dead when we got him on board; but the week's sea-air helped him through; so I must not grumble at these northerly breezes.

'It's an ill wind that blows nobody good,' they say!" Valencia heard all this as in a dream; and watched her chattering brother with a stupefied air.

She comprehended all now; and bitterly she blamed herself.