“You know that good old Fernan established a missionary station here, building a church, and getting the ground consecrated where my father lies.  I can just see the top of the cross, and there he promises that I shall lie.  You will be able to put my name in the cloister under my father’s, as no impostor.

“Don’t grieve, my Cherie, it is best as it is; my brains were full of more notions than you ever quite guessed, and of which I have seen the seamy side out here, though there is much that I should feel bound to work out, and that might have grieved you.  I was not tough enough for the discipline that was needed to strike the balance. (He is thinking aloud, dear fellow.-—M.  A.) I am afraid I have often vexed you in my crudeness and conceit, but I know you forgive.  I am very thankful for this year, and for the way in which my poor mother was given into my hands at last.  Fernan has helped me to make a short will, to save confusion and difficulty.

I have left everything to Clement, knowing that you and he will provide for all.  Fernan and Marilda will care for Lida. (That we will.-—M.  A.) I cannot leave her to be a tax on Vale Leston.  Give my books and MSS. to Dolores, and please be kind to her.  My violin, which Fernan redeemed for me, the eponym (How do you spell it?-—M.  A.), by the way, of this place, my father’s own fiddle, give to Lance for his pretty Ariel; Anna, my good sister, should have my music, which will be a memory of happy evenings.  Emmie may like the portfolio of drawings that I made for the mission-house; dear old Sibby the photograph in my room of the ‘Ecce Homo.’  I have it in my eye now.-—(M.  A.)

“Everything is such a comfort, Fernan and Marilda are the best of nurses and helpers, and I mourn for the folly that chaffed about them and boredom.  Tell Emmie so.  Fernan has made this place a little oasis round my father’s grave, and his parson, who has a mission among the remains of the Sioux, is with me every other day, and does all that Clement could desire for me.  So do-—do believe that it is all for the best, dear people.-—(L.)

“One thing good is, that I shall not bring any bad blood into the Underwood inheritance.  By the bye, tell them-—(Continued by Marilda) Mr. Gracchus Van —­— suddenly arrived here, greatly shocked at Gerald’s state, and actually wanting to marry Lydia on the spot—- which of course she declined.  But Fernan was pleased with him, and he told him he had never met any one to hold a candle to ’Jerry Wood,’ so ‘smart’ and ‘chipper,’ as he saw at first, and then cheerful, good-humoured, and kindly, whatever happened.  None of your Britisher’s airs, but ready to make the best of any fixings.  I don’t think dear Gerald meant me to tell all this, but think of the difference from the fastidious fine gentleman he used to be!  He is dozing now, I fear he is getting weaker; but he is ever so sweet and good, and I quite long to beg his pardon for having called him your spoilt boy.  Mr. Fraser, the clergyman here, is very much struck with him, and Fernan remembers the time when he baptized him as he lay unconscious.  Dear Cherry, it will grieve you, but I think there will be comfort in the grief.