the picture, you look like her; I saw it so plainly
two years ago, when you were here one evening, and I spoke of it to
father. Who was she, I wonder? Uncle Arthur does not talk much of
her now, though I believe he kisses her every night and morning. How
much he thinks of you, and how much he has talked of _Cherry_ since
his visit to you in May. I am so glad you liked the dress, he was so
anxious about it. Did he say any thing to you of a trip to
California? He took us quite by surprise two weeks ago by telling us
he was going. He wanted to see the Yosemite Valley before he died,
he said, and June was the time to see it. So he started off with
Charles about ten days ago, and the house seems like a tomb without
him.

'If I can, I shall come and see you graduate with the other Vassars,
though I shall be ashamed to be seen where I failed so utterly. I
might have known I should, for I haven't about me a single quality
which would entitle me to be a Vassar, unless it is my fondness for
_gum_. Do you really chew an awful lot there, or is it a fib? How
learned you and Nina will be, and how you will cast me in the shade,
making me seem stupider than ever. I did try very hard to learn to
speak German when I was abroad with mamma, for father wished it
particularly; but I could not do it, and gave it up. I have not a
capacity for anything, except to love and suffer and sacrifice for
those I love. Do you know, it sometimes frightens me to think how
devotedly I could love some one. Not a girl, but a man--a lover--a
husband, who loved me. Why, I would give my life for him, and bear
any kind of torture if it would add to his happiness. But why write
this nonsense to you, who never acted as if you cared an atom for
any boy, not even Dick St. Claire, who used to give you sugar hearts
and call you his little wife. _Entre nous_ (who says I do not know
two French words?) mamma would like to make a match between Dick and
me, but she never will--never! Dick is nice, and I like him, but not
that way. Poor mamma! How much she thinks of money and position! I
tell her she ought to have a photograph of the old Langley House
hung up in her room to keep her in mind of her former condition.
Just now she has the craze to hammer brass and paint in
water-colors, and goes over to Mrs. Atherton's to take lessons.