concise.

"I have, as you now perhaps perceive, carried on the Norwegian
correspondence of Messrs. Barnett Brothers for several years. In my
private letters to you I have disguised my handwriting, so as not to
betray my secret. I wished, in fact, to see first if I could make myself
useful, and am at length satisfied I that I can. I have learnt to adopt
your mother's homely maxim--remember me kindly to her--I can work.' In
your kind letters, for which receive my best thanks, I have sometimes
thought that I could perceive a feeling of astonishment, as to how I
could be employing all the money you have sent me. It is placed in our
business. I say our business, because Messrs. Barnett Brothers have
offered me a share in their Paris house. I have thus attained the object
of my ambition in that direction.

"You once gave me some advice. You see, I attack each point separately,
so as to prevent confusion, to avoid wasting words, or forgetting
anything important. But to return. When you advised me to come forward
as an authoress, I did not at that time think that your idea was
reasonable. Since then I have, however, thought the subject carefully
over, and have indeed made some small attempts that way, and now I beg
to thank you for the good advice you gave me. I have indeed much to
thank you for.

"Now that I am able to work, I no longer feel so apprehensive about the
future. It is true, as you said long ago, that there are many things
which a woman may have to write about, and this is more especially true
with us in our own country. I am fortunately in an independent position,
_bonheur oblige_, and I have courage, so I will make the attempt. But I
must first get home, not only because I am as homesick as a child--for I
know perfectly well that when I have been at home for a short time, I
shall be anxious to start again on my travels--but I feel that if I am
to accomplish anything, I must be among those I wish to help. I also
wish to be able to go abroad again, and thus make existence more
interesting; but I must at the same time have a _pied a terre_ at home,
so as to be able to return whenever I may desire to do so. And now comes
the great 'but' which is, in fact, the chief point in this letter--and
that, Mr. Worse, is yourself.

"I do not wish to return home before I know clearly in what position we
stand to each other. Of this I feel convinced, that you have no ill
feeling towards me on account of my former behaviour to