I rang for a servant, and, having waited till one came, took my leave.
"Of course all this is very shocking and painful, but I am glad I came.
The matter is ended now in a satisfactory manner.

I think it has been well done.

Let us both keep our counsel, and the affair will soon become a memory with us, as it is nothing with every one else.
"Always your loving sister, "AUGUSTA." * * * * * It is better to be silent upon some themes than to say too little.

Words would fail to express the emotions with which Willie read this history: let silence and imagination tell the tale.
Flinging down the paper with a passionate cry, he saw yet another letter,--the one in which these had been enfolded,--a letter written to him, and by Mrs.Russell.As by a flash, he perceived that there had been some blunder here, by which he was the gainer; and, partly at least, comprehended it.
These two, mother and aunt, fearing the old fire had not yet burned to ashes,--nay, from their knowledge of him, sure of it,--hearing naught of his illness, for he did not care to distress them by any account thereof, were satisfied that he had either met, or was remaining to compass a meeting, with Miss Ercildoune.

His mother had not the courage, or the baseness, to write such a letter as that to which Mrs.Russell urged her,--a letter which should degrade his love in his own eyes, and recall him from an unworthy pursuit.