“Don’t ask me to send you the Lacustrian.  I am ashamed of it, and of my own articles.  Nothing will go down here but the most highly spiced, and it is matter of life and death to us, as long as my mother lives, to keep on the swaying top of the poplar tree of popularity.  You would despise the need, and talk of Felix, but it is daily bread, and I cannot let my mother and sister starve for opinions of mine.  One comfort for you is that if I ever do come home again to reign at Vale Leston, I shall have seen the outcome of various theories of last year, and proved what is the effect of having no class to raise a standard or to look up to.  I don’t think I shall be quite so bumptious, and I am quite sure I shall value my Cherie’s tenderness much better than I have ever done, more shame for me!  Love to the bride and all at Vale Leston.  There is an old age of novelty about these eastern states, quite disgusting in comparison with the reverend dignity of such a place as Vale Leston.  You never thought that I appreciated it!  You will find no fault with me on that score now.  The lake is beautiful enough, but I begin to hate the sight of it, especially when a Yankee insists on my telling him whether we have in all Europe anything better than a duck-pond in comparison.  Little Lida is my drop of comfort, since she has ceased to be mortally afraid of ‘Brother.’  Love to all and sundry again.

“Your loving G.”

There was a consultation over this letter, which ended in John Harewood’s volunteering to go to Genoa, and find out this Menotti or his representative, returning in time for the wedding, and hoping that the uncertainty would thus be over in time for the enjoyment of a truly prosperous event.

A letter that came before his departure rendered Geraldine doubly anxious for the decision.  Mrs. Henderson sent it to her to read, saying that it was by Lady Merrifield’s advice, since she thought that it should be known how it was with Gerald, for even to Dolores he had not told half what Ludmilla related.

“MY DEAREST MRS. HENDERSON,

“It is a long time since I received your dearest, kindest of letters, and if I did not answer it sooner, it was not from want of gratitude, but attendance on my poor dear mother and assistance to our landlady occupies me at every minute that I can spare from giving music lessons to some private families, and an evening class.  I am very thankful to be able to earn something, so as to take off something of the burthen on my dear brother’s shoulders.  For, alas! the care and support of my mother and me weigh very heavily upon him.  The proprietor of the Lacustrian has parted with his other clerk, and my brother has the entire business of not only writing, extracting for, and editing the paper, but of correcting the press, and he dares not remonstrate or demand better payment, as we live from week to week, and he could not afford to be dismissed.  He is at the office