When he saw the handwriting, which he knew, his heart was at once in his mouth, and he hesitated to open his letter at the breakfast table.

He did open it and read it, but, in truth, he hardly understood it or digested it till he had taken it away with him up to his own room.
The letter, which was very short, was as follows: Dear Friend:--I felt your kindness in coming to me at the station so much! the more, perhaps, because others, who owed me more kindness, have paid me less.

Don't suppose that I allude to poor Hermione, for, in truth, I have no intention to complain of her.

I thought, perhaps, you would have come to see me before you left London; but I suppose you were hurried.

I hear from Clavering that you are to be up about your new profession in a day or two.