now what her sisters are like. By
the way, I mean to make the acquaintance of the Medhursts. I have
an idea I shan't find that a very difficult task. Then perhaps my
letters may be more agreeable reading for you, for of course we
shall continue corresponding unless you are back in town before
long. Morgan, don't lose faith! I told you I was a prophet--or
should it be prophetess? When I looked you in the face last I
read therein that you were born to be happy.

"In the meanwhile I don't want you to be uncomfortable. And I now
come to a point I hate to mention because I am afraid of you. You
fly at one so savagely. I don't think you ought to allow a
question of mere money to poison such sweet human relation as
ours. Won't you look at it in the right spirit? I implore you,
do. I want you to believe that I understand and sympathise with
your feelings, but recollect now I am writing to you as your best
friend, without any admixture of anything else, and it is as my
best friend I want you to respond to me. Forget that I am only a
woman. Let my purse be yours. Take only a trifle if you will, but
still take it. It will make me happy, for I want to feel sure
that you are bearing up. Meanwhile I am in dreadful suspense to
hear from you.

"Yours affectionately,
"HELEN.

"P. S. In the name of Heaven, write me quickly to tell me what
the sisters are like. I have bought a map of London in sections,
and I spend hours wandering with you in some of the strange
places. What funny shapes the Thames has in some of the sections,
and how nicely the pieces underneath it fit into it. Alas! the
days, the days that are no more! What a sob re-echoes from those
simple words!"

Blessed writing! In what an impasse were his life without it!

CHAPTER III.

Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case
of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then. His
instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was
precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed
attitude long after being convinced. He gave her an account of the
Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden
mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him. He had read in her
letter far