Two days only before my departure from Paris, I received another letter from her.
I was weak enough to be almost afraid to open it.

Her writing to me again, when she knew that we should be re-united at such an early date, suggested that she must have some very startling news to communicate.

My mind misgave me that it would prove to be news of the worst sort.
I summoned courage to open the envelope.

Ah, what fools we are! For once that our presentments come right, they prove a hundred times to be wrong.
Instead of distressing me, the letter delighted me.

Our gloomy prospect was brightening at last.
Thus--feeling her way over the paper, in her large childish characters--Lucilla wrote: "DEAREST FRIEND AND SISTER,--I cannot wait until we meet, to tell you my good news.