her
old friend's little sermons Alice was infinitely more attentive than
had been her wont, so that Lady Macleod was comforted and took heart
of grace, and at last brought forth from under her pillow a letter
from the Countess of Midlothian, which she had received a day or
two since, and which bore upon Alice's case. "I was not quite sure
whether I'd show it you," said Lady Macleod, "because you wouldn't
answer her when she wrote to you. But when I'm gone, as I shall be
soon, she will be the nearest relative you have on your mother's
side, and from her great position, you know, Alice--" But here Alice
became impatient for the letter. Her aunt handed it to her, and she
read as follows:--

Castle Reekie, July, 186--.

DEAR LADY MACLEOD,--

I am sorry to hear of the symptoms you speak about. I
strongly advise you to depend chiefly on beef-tea. They
should be very careful to send it up quite free from
grease, and it should not be too strong of the meat. There
should be no vegetables in it. Not soup, you know, but
beef-tea. If any thing acts upon your strength, that will.
I need not tell one who has lived as you have done where
to look for that other strength which alone can support
you at such a time as this. I would go to you if I thought
that my presence would be any comfort to you, but I know
how sensitive you are, and the shock might be too much for
you.

If you see Alice Vavasor on her return to England, as you
probably will, pray tell her from me that I give her my
warmest congratulations, and that I am heartily glad that
matters are arranged. I think she treated my attempts to
heal the wound in a manner that they did not deserve; but
all that shall be forgiven, as shall also her original bad
behaviour to poor Mr Grey.

Alice was becoming weary of so much forgiveness, and told herself, as
she was reading the letter, that that of Lady Midlothian was at any
rate unnecessary. "I trust that we may yet meet and be friends,"
continued Lady Midlothian. "I am extremely gratified at finding that
she has been thought so much of by Mr Palliser. I'm told that Mr
Palliser and Mr Grey have become great friends, and if this is so,
Alice must be happy to feel that she has had it in her power to
confer so great a benefit on her future husband as he will receive
from this introduction." "I ain't a bit happy, and I have conferred
no benefit on Mr Grey," exclai