"I have not heard a word for months past." "I had a long letter from Lora yesterday;" she answered; "the first since the close of the war.

Her eldest son, Ned, and Enna's second husband, were killed in the battle of Bentonville, last March.

Lora's husband has lost an arm, one of his brothers a leg; the others are all killed, and the family utterly ruined.
"The Carringtons--father and sons--have all fallen, Sophie is here, with her orphan children; her mother-in-law, with her own daughter, Lucy Ross.
Philip has escaped unhurt.

They will all be here next week to attend May's wedding.
"Papa, Louise--you know that she too has lost her husband--and Enna are all at the Oaks; for Roselands is a ruin, Ion not very much better, Lora says." "And the Oaks has escaped ?" "Yes, almost entirely; not being visible from the road.

Papa sends a message to you.