CHAPTER II .-- NEWS INTERESTING AND SERIOUS.
August 5 .-- A cloud of letters.

A letter from Caroline, another from mother; also one from each to my father.
The probability to which all the intelligence from my sister has pointed of late turns out to be a fact.

There is an engagement, or almost an engagement, announced between my dear Caroline and M.de la Feste--to Caroline's sublime happiness, and my mother's entire satisfaction; as well as to that of the Marlets.

They and my mother seem to know all about the young man--which is more than I do, though a little extended information about him, considering that I am Caroline's elder sister, would not have been amiss.

I half feel with my father, who is much surprised, and, I am sure, not altogether satisfied, that he should not have been consulted at all before matters reached such a definite stage, though he is too amiable to say so openly.