way to Frankfort, and
offering to carry a letter for me; but not once did he
allude to my debt, nor was there the slightest hint of its
existence. On this I wrote an acknowledgment of the loan,
and a pressing entreaty that he would come and see me; but
he pretended one thing and another, affected engagements at
the only hours I was free, and at last abruptly sent for my
letter just when I was writing it. I had much more to tell
you, Nelly, of myself, of the service, and of my daily life
here; but my thoughts are now disturbed and scattered; and
I feel, too, how your shame for my short-coming will take
away interest from what I say. You, Nelly, will have courage
to be just: tell him all that I have been weak enough to
conceal; let him know what suffering my unworthy shame has
cost me; and, above all, that I am not ungrateful.

"It seems like a dream all that you tell me of Kate. Is she
still in Italy, and where? Would she write to me? I am
ashamed to ask the question of herself. They spoke of our
brigade being sent to Lombardy; but even there I might be
far away from her; and if near, in the very same city, our
stations would separate us still more widely. Oh, Nelly! is
it worth all the success ever ambition the most successful
won, thus to tear up the ties of family, and make brothers
and sisters strangers? Would that I were back again with
you, and dearest Kate, too! I see no future here; the dull
round of daily discipline, teaching nothing but obedience,
shuts out speculation and hope! Where are the glorious
enterprises, the splendid chances I often dreamed of? My
happiest moments now are recalling the past; the long winter
evenings beside the hearth, while Hans was reading out to
us. There are rumors of great changes in the world of Europe;
but to us they are only the thunderings of a distant
storm, to break out in what quarter we know not. Oh, Nelly!
if it should lead to war! if some glorious struggle were to
break in upon this sluggish apathy!

"Adolf has sent again for this letter, so I must close it He
will not, he says, pass through Baden, but will post this in
Munich--so good-bye, dearest sister. Tell poor papa all that
you dare to tell of me, and farewell.

"Frank Dalton.

"When you write it must be under cov