But an unexpected letter made her for the moment oblivious of suffering.
'Posted in London,' she said, examining the envelope eagerly.
'Some one you have been in correspondence with ?' 'It's months since I wrote to any one in London.' For full five minutes they debated the mystery, afraid of dashing their hopes by breaking the envelope.

At length Virginia summoned courage.
Standing at a distance from the other, she took out the sheet of paper with tremulous hand, and glanced fearfully at the signature.
'What _do_ you think?
It's Miss Nunn!' 'Miss Nunn! Never! How could she have got the address ?' Again the difficulty was discussed whilst its ready solution lay neglected.
'Do read it!' said Alice at length, her throbbing head, made worse by the agitation, obliging her to sink down into the chair.
The letter ran thus:-- 'DEAR Miss MADDEN,--This morning I chanced to meet with Mrs.Darby, who was passing through London on her way home from the seaside.

We had only five minutes' talk (it was at a railway station), but she mentioned that you were at present in London, and gave me your address.
After all these years, how glad I should be to see you! The struggle of life has made me selfish; I have neglected my old friends.

And yet I am bound to add that some of _them_ have neglected _me_.

Would you rather that I came to your lodgings or you to mine?
Which you like.