A light fleece of snow fell during the second night of waiting, inverting the position of long-established lights and shades, and lowering to a dingy grey the approximately white walls of other weathers; he could trace the postman's footmarks as he entered over the bridge, knowing them by the dot of his walking-stick: on entering the expected letter was waiting upon his table.

He looked at its direction with glad curiosity; it was the first letter he had ever received from her.
'HOTEL -- -, NICE, Feb.

14.
'MY DEAR MR.

SOMERSET' (the 'George,' then, to which she had so kindly treated him in her last conversation, was not to be continued in black and white),-- 'Your letter explaining the progress of the work, aided by the sketch enclosed, gave me as clear an idea of the advance made since my departure as I could have gained by being present.

I feel every confidence in you, and am quite sure the restoration is in good hands.
In this opinion both my aunt and my uncle coincide.