Certainly, life is rather up-hill! I slowly tear the envelope open, and languidly throw my eyes along the lines.

But, before I have read three words, my languor suddenly disappears.

I sit upright in my chair, grasp the paper more firmly, bring it nearer my eyes, which begin greedily to gallop through its contents.

They are not very long, and in two minutes I have mastered them.
"MY DEAREST NANCY: "I have _such_ a piece of news for you! I cannot help laughing as I picture to myself your face of delight; I would make you guess it, only I cannot bear to keep you in suspense.

_It has all come right! I am going to marry Frank, after all!_ What _have_ I done to deserve such luck! How can I ever thank God enough for it?
Do you know that my very first thought, when he asked me, was, '_How_ pleased Nancy will be!' You dear little soul! I think, when he went away that time from Tempest, that you took all the blame of it to yourself! O Nancy, do you think it is wrong to be so _dreadfully_ happy?
Sometimes I am afraid that I love him _too_ much! it seems so hard to help it.