I should like much to have written to your kind good mother with this, but I fear my strength will not permit, yet perhaps, if she have one half-hour's leisure, she will write to me again; her letters indeed are my comfort and support.

I thank your brother Herbert for his many kind and affectionate messages; tell him all you will of our plans, and tell him--tell him--his sister Mary will never forget the brother of her childhood--the kind, the sympathising companion of her youth.

To Percy, too, remember me; and say all your own affection would dictate to Caroline and Ellen.

I would have written to the latter, but my weakness will I know prove my best excuse.

Before I quite conclude, let me say how pleased I am to think that, although you still regret Oakwood, you can find some pleasures in your present life.