CHAPTER XLVIII.
Five or six days after this Mr.Lawrence paid us the honour of a call; and when he and I were alone together--which I contrived as soon as possible by bringing him out to look at my cornstacks--he showed me another letter from his sister.

This one he was quite willing to submit to my longing gaze; he thought, I suppose, it would do me good.

The only answer it gave to my message was this:-- 'Mr.Markham is at liberty to make such revelations concerning me as he judges necessary.

He will know that I should wish but little to be said on the subject.

I hope he is well; but tell him he must not think of me.' I can give you a few extracts from the rest of the letter, for I was permitted to keep this also--perhaps, as an antidote to all pernicious hopes and fancies.
* * * * * He is decidedly better, but very low from the depressing effects of his severe illness and the strict regimen he is obliged to observe--so opposite to all his previous habits.