irious. Charles was to hear
again by the next post. The next post brought a letter from Mr Barker.
Isabella was not better, and Mr Everett thought that if a great change
for the better did not take place in forty-eight hours, she could not
live. After giving these particulars, the letter continued:

"Do not be too anxious about Jane: she is surrounded by kind friends;
who are willing to help her, but she needs no assistance. She will
relinquish the care of her sister to none but Hannah, and never even
to her, except when a few hours of rest are absolutely necessary to
her. She seems strong in mind and body, quite aware of the danger,
and quite prepared for every thing. She has allowed her friends to
take charge of Harriet and Alfred: they are with us just now. Mr
Monteath and his daughters are much concerned at this illness, and so
are the Franklins. Mrs F. shews her kindness in a very acceptable
manner. She has sent a dinner ready cooked, every day, to your
sister's house, that Jane may have as much of Hannah's assistance as
possible. Mr Monteath sent some excellent Madeira, on hearing that
wine was ordered, and his daughters have procured foreign grapes and
various other luxuries for the invalid. I mention these things to
prove to you that your sisters will want no assistance that friends
can give, and even at this time it will be a great pleasure to you to
be convinced that their worth is appreciated, and that their claims to
esteem are allowed.

"We are very sorry for you, Charles, that you must be away just now:
but you did right in going at the time you promised, and we will still
hope that you will be rewarded by hearing better tidings than I am
able to communicate to-day. You shall hear by every post. All your
friends here send their love to you, and so do I, my dear boy.
Farewell.

"P.S. My wife has just been to your sister's. Mr Everett was there,
and he thought he perceived a slight improvement in the state of the
pulse and skin. May he be right!"

Charles longed to write to Jane, and this postscript encouraged him to
do it. He wrote cheerfully, earnestly hoping that before his letter
should arrive, such an improvement might have taken place as should
render his expressions of hope not ill-timed. Mr Barker wrote again
the next day. Isabella was not worse, perhaps a little better, but in a
state of such extreme weakness, that there we