Tom was away in another section, fighting manfully for the dear old flag, or the precious missive would have been intrusted to his care.

He sent it thus that it might reach her sooner.
Now that he had a fresh hope, he could not wait to write for her address, and forward it himself to her hands; he must adopt the speediest method of putting it in her possession.
In a little space came answer from Mrs.Russell, enclosing the letter he had sent: a kindly epistle it was.

He was a sort of idol with this same aunt, so she had put many things on paper that were steeped in gentleness and affection ere she said at the end, "I re-enclose your letter.

I have seen Miss Ercildoune.

She restores it to you; she implores you never to write her again,--to forget her.