t; and after a few days
occupied in preparation, she bade farewell to the tearful Fanny Bruce,
the bustling doctor, and his kind-hearted wife, all of whom accompanied
her to the railroad station. She promised to write to the Jeremys; and
they agreed to forward her any letters that might arrive from Willie.

In less than a fortnight from the time of her departure, Mrs. Ellis
returned to Boston, and brought news of the safe conclusion of
Gertrude's journey. A letter received a week after by Mrs. Jeremy
announced that they should sail in a few days. She was, therefore,
surprised when a second epistle was put into her hands, dated the day
succeeding that on which she supposed Mr. Graham's party to have left
the country. It was as follows:--

"NEW YORK, _April 29th_.

"MY DEAR MRS. JEREMY,--As yesterday was the day on which we
expected to sail for Europe, you will be astonished to hear that we
are yet in New York, and still more so to learn that the foreign
tour is now postponed. Only two days since Mr. Graham was seized
with the gout, and the attack was so violent as to threaten his
life. Although to-day somewhat relieved, and considered by his
physician out of immediate danger, he remains a great sufferer, and
a sea-voyage is pronounced impracticable. His great anxiety is to
be at home; and, as soon as he can bear the journey, we shall
hasten to the house in D----.I enclose a note for Mrs. Ellis. It
contains various directions which Emily is desirous she should
receive; and, as we did not know how to address her, I have sent it
to you, trusting to your kindness to see it forwarded. Mrs. Graham
and her nieces, who had been anticipating much pleasure from going
abroad, are, of course, greatly disappointed. It is particularly
trying to Miss Clinton, as her father has been absent more than a
year, and she was hoping to meet him in Paris.

"It is impossible that either me or Emily should regret a journey
of which we felt only dread, and, were it not for Mr. Graham's
illness being the cause of its postponement, we should find it hard
not to realise a degree of satisfaction in the prospect of
returning to the dear old place in D----, where we hope to be
established in the course of the next month. I say _we_, for
neither Mr. Graham nor Emily will hear of my leaving them again.

"With the kindest r