'clock this morning, at the latest.
Let me have one line in answer, to say you will act instantly for
the best. My only hope of quieting Norah is to show her a word of
encouragement from your pen. Believe me, dear sir, yours sincerely and
obliged,

"HARRIET GARTH."

III.

_From Magdalen to Norah (inclosed in the preceding Letter)._

"MY DARLING--Try to forgive me. I have struggled against myself till I
am worn out in the effort. I am the wretchedest of living creatures. Our
quiet life here maddens me; I can bear it no longer; I must go. If you
knew what my thoughts are; if you knew how hard I have fought against
them, and how horribly they have gone on haunting me in the lonely quiet
of this house, you would pity and forgive me. Oh, my love, don't feel
hurt at my not opening my heart to you as I ought! I dare not open it. I
dare not show myself to you as I really am.

"Pray don't send and seek after me; I will write and relieve all your
anxieties. You know, Norah, we must get our living for ourselves; I have
only gone to get mine in the manner which is fittest for me. Whether I
succeed, or whether I fail, I can do myself no harm either way. I
have no position to lose, and no name to degrade. Don't doubt I love
you--don't let Miss Garth doubt my gratitude. I go away miserable at
leaving you; but I must go. If I had loved you less dearly, I might
have had the courage to say this in your presence--but how could I
trust myself to resist your persuasions, and to bear the sight of your
distress? Farewell, my darling! Take a thousand kisses from me, my own
best, dearest love, till we meet again.

"MAGDALEN."

IV.

_From Sergeant Bulmer (of the Detective Police) to Mr. Pendril._

"Scotland Yard, September 29th, 1846.

"SIR--Your clerk informs me that the parties interested in our inquiry
after the missing young lady are anxious for news of the same. I went
to your office to speak to you about the matter to-day. Not having found
you, and not being able to return and try again to-morrow, I write these
lines to save delay, and to tell you how we stand thus far.

"I am sorry to say, no advance has been made since my former report.
The trace of the young lady which we found nearly a week since, still
remains the last trace discovered of her. This case seems a mighty
simple one looked at from a distance. Looked at close, it alters very
considerably for the worse, and becomes, to speak the plain truth--a
Poser.

"