She meant to write and tell him all about herself and Edward.

The only thing which she would keep for some happy future should be the possible revelation of the proposal which Mr.Buxton had made, that she should give up her engagement as a condition of his not prosecuting Edward.
There was much sorrowful bustle in the moorland cottage that day.

Erminia brought up a portion of the money Mr.Buxton was to advance, with an entreaty that Edward would not show himself out of his home; and an account of a letter from Mr.Henry, stating that the Woodchester police believed him to be in London, and that search was being made for him there.
Erminia looked very grave and pale.

She gave her message to Mrs.Browne, speaking little beyond what was absolutely necessary.

Then she took Maggie aside, and suddenly burst into tears.
"Maggie, darling--what is this going to America?
You've always and always been sacrificing yourself to your family, and now you're setting off, nobody knows where, in some vain hope of reforming Edward.