came to know and depend on him as nothing else would have made them do; and they proved how sincerely right-minded and good he is.  There is some connection with the Underwoods, though I have not quite fathomed it.  There is no fear about home consent, for it seems that he is given to outpourings to his mother, and had heard that if he thought of Sir Jasper Merrifield’s daughter his parents would welcome her, knowing what Sir J. is.  There’s for you! considering that we have next to nothing to give the child, and Frank has not much fortune, but Alethea is trained to the soldierly life, and they will be better off than Jasper and I were.

’The worst of it is leaving them behind; and as neither of the gentlemen can afford a journey home, we mean to have the double wedding before Lent.  As to outfit, the native tailors must be chiefly trusted to, or the stores at Calcutta, and I must send out the rest when I come home.  Only please send by post my wedding veil (Gillian knows where it is), together with another as like it as may be.  Any slight lace decorations to make us respectable which suggest themselves to you and her might come; I can’t recollect or mention them now.  I wish Reginald could come and tell you all, but the poor fellow has to go home full pelt about those Irish.  Jasper is writing to William, and you must get business particulars from him, and let Gillian and the little ones hear, for there is hardly any time to write.  Phyllis, being used to the idea, is very quiet and matter-of-fact about it.  She hoped, indeed, that I guessed nothing till I was satisfied about papa, and had had time to rest.  Alethea is in a much more April condition, and I am glad Frank waited till I was here on her account and on her father’s.  He is going on well, but must keep still.  He declares that being nursed by two pair of lovers is highly amusing.  However, such homes being found for two of the tribe is a great relief to his mind.  I suppose it is to one’s rational mind, though it is a terrible tug at one’s heart-strings.  You shall hear again by the next mail.  A brown creature waits to take this to be posted.—–­
                                       Your loving sister,
                                                       L. M.’

Gillian came down to dinner quite pale, and to Aunt Ada’s kind ’Well, Gillian?’ she could only repeat, ‘It is horrid.’

‘It is hard to lose all the pretty double wedding,’ said Aunt Ada.

‘Gillian does not mean that,’ hastily put in Miss Mohun.

‘Oh no,’ said Gillian; ‘that would be worse than anything.’

‘So you think,’ said Aunt Jane; ’but believe those who have gone through it all, my dear, when the wrench is over, one feels the benefit.’