At length a postman entered the little shop with a noise which made Oliver's heart beat violently, and tossed a letter down upon the counter.

He carried it to the door, where there was still light enough to read it, and saw that it was in Susan's handwriting.
"MY DEAR AND DEAREST FATHER, "My heart is almost broke, betwixt one thing and another.

His regiment is to set sail immediate, and the colonel's lady has offered me very handsome wages to go out with her as lady's maid, her own having disappointed her at the last moment; which I could do very well, knowing the dressmaking.

He said, 'Do come, Susan, and I'll never get drunk again, so help me God; and if you don't, I shall go to the bad altogether; for I do love you, Susan.' I said, 'Oh my child!' And the colonel's lady said, 'She's safe with her grandfather; and if he's a good man, as you say he is, he'll take the best of care of her.

I'll give you three pounds to send him from here, and we'll send more from Calcutta.' So they overpersuaded me, and there isn't even time to come back to London, for we are going in a few hours.