’Another thing, and the last.  You have never once spoken of Miss Newthorpe, nor have I, in all this long time.  I pray you tell me something of her.  It is very likely that she’s married—­to whom, now?  Her husband should be an interesting man, one I should like some day to know.  Or is she another example of the unaccountable things women will do in marriage?  Pray Heaven not!’

(Eight months after the last.)

’I have just been reading a leader in the New York Herald wherein there is mention of Dalmaine’s factory bill.  Dalmaine is spoken of with extreme respect; his measure is one of those which ’largely testify to the practical wisdom and beneficence of the spirit which prevails in British legislation.’  This kind of thing it is, says the writer, which keeps England in such freedom from the social disturbance so rife on the continent of Europe, and from which America has so much to fear.  Seriously, this is all very right and just:  Dalmaine is deserving well of his country.  But the amazing fact is that such a man comes forward to perform such services.  However, it is only the Vanderbilt business over again.  These men are the practical philanthropists, and to sneer at them is very much the same as to speak contemptuously of the rain-shower which aids the growth of the corn.

’I have written very short letters lately.  Business has claimed me night and day.  We have had sundry difficulties of late, which you certainly would not thank me for explaining, and I am only just beginning to feel that if I take my due sleep at night I am doing nothing wrong.  For months I have been the man of business, pure and simple.  I have exerted myself to over-reach people, and have fumed because others all but succeeded in over-reaching me.  I have lived the life of a cunning and laborious animal.  Well, I have my profit of it in several ways, but I think I have had about enough of it for the present.

’I shall be in England in a month.

’Whether I shall remain there long, is uncertain.  But at all events I shall not be back here again for some time.  One of our London men is coming to take my place.  I have compliments from my fellows in the firm;—­it makes me feel that I must have sunk low.

’And now to the subject which I really took up my pen to write about.  I am very glad that you speak of letting Lydia visit her sister before long.  I remember well how much they are to each other.  It has been no less than heroism in Thyrza to submit to practical separation for so long a time, at your mere bidding, without explanation asked or given.

’Shall you speak of me to Thyrza before my return?  No, I suppose you will take no such responsibility.  I don’t know what your mind is now on this matter, but in any case you have performed your part right generously and nobly, and it is a very pleasant thought to me that through her life Thyrza will regard you as her dearest friend, the one to whom she owes most.  It will be a never-falling source of sympathy between her and myself.