The mother and the aunt and the four brothers and sisters were all equally impatient to know the contents.

The letter was addressed to Emma, who knew it from its envelope, opened it out, and exclaimed with delight:-- "It is eight pages long! I will read it aloud to you" ROSEMOUNT ON THE RHINE, Sept.

28, 18--.
DEAR FRIEND,--Thank you a thousand times for your good advice, for without it I should never have dared to say a word about Fani.
But I will begin at the beginning and tell you everything as it has happened.

When Fred said good-bye and I drove away from you all, I had to cry a little! But Aunt Clarissa--this is what I am to call her always--was very kind, and talked to me, and bade me tell her everything that troubled me.

Mrs.Stanhope shut her eyes and lay back in the carriage, so still that I thought she was asleep, so I thought it was a good time to tell Aunt Clarissa all about Fani, as you advised.