Before I lay down my pen I must give some account of these matters, and I cannot do so better than by inserting a letter which I had the honor to receive from his Excellency, some two years after I last saw him.

I had obeyed his wish in communicating my address to him, but up to this time had received only a short but friendly note, acquainting me with the fact of his marriage to the signorina, and expressing good wishes for my welfare in my new sphere of action.

The matters to which the President refers became to some extent public property soon afterward, but certain other terms of the arrangement are now given to the world for the first time.

The letter ran as follows: "My DEAR MARTIN: As an old inhabitant of Aureataland you will be interested in the news I have to tell you.
I also take pleasure in hoping that in spite of bygone differences, your friendly feelings toward myself will make you glad to hear news of my fortunes.
"You are no doubt acquainted generally with the course of events here since you left us.

As regards private friends, I have not indeed much to tell you.
You will not be surprised to learn that Johnny Carr (who always speaks of you with the utmost regard) has done the most sensible thing he ever did in his life in making Donna Antonia his wife.
She is a thoroughly good girl, although she seems to have a very foolish prejudice against Christina.