It was the first love letter she had ever written,--probably the first letter she had ever written to a man, except those short notes which she would occasionally scrawl to Father Marty in compliance with her mother's directions.

The letter to Fred was as follows;-- ARDKILL COTTAGE, 10th April, 18--.
MY DEAREST FRED, I received your dear letter three or four days ago, and it made me so happy.

We were sorry that you should have such an uncomfortable journey; but all that would be over and soon forgotten when you found yourself in your comfortable home and among your own friends.
I am very glad to hear that your uncle is better.

The thought of finding him so ill must have made your journey very sad.

As he is so much better, I suppose you will come back soon to your poor little Kate.
There is no news at all to send you from Liscannor.