I shall wait; and as I know you wish it, I shall wait as patiently as I can.

But till you come to me for good and all, let me see you or hear from you when you can.

The time, dear wife, must go heavily with me as I think of you suffering and lonely.

So be good to me, and let not too long a time elapse between my glimpses of hope.

And, sweetheart, when you _do_ come to me, it shall be for ever!" There was something in the intonation of the last sentence--I felt its sincerity myself--some implied yearning for a promise, that made her beautiful eyes swim.