Christmas 1859 she says:

It is just six weeks to-day since you left us. I can never forget
that miserable morning; it is always haunting me like a dreadful
dream that I try in vain to get rid of.... I hardly know what to
tell you about myself; it is a very difficult subject to write
about. I have been trying to do more in the school lately than I
ever did before. I think of you when I am there, and try to do my
best. Still I am afraid, as Madame Goldschmidt said of the
clergyman, my best is very little. My sisters are going next week
to spend a few days with some friends in the neighbourhood: how I
should like to have you with me then. I remember so well your once
speaking to me about accustoming myself to be alone whenever it was
necessary, and not to depend too much on others for companionship,
so now you see I am going to have a little trial in that way. You
will think of me then, won't you? and I shall be thinking of you
more than ever.... I took a bit of my writing this morning to show
the school children, and they seemed delighted with it.... I must
say good-bye now, ... and how much love I send I never could tell
you.

On the 5th of January 1860 Miss Law writes:

I sincerely hope that this new year may be a very happy one to you
and to all who are dear to you. It seems so strange to me to look
back to this time last year. I feel somehow as if a change had come
over my life since then. I mean I seem to see things in quite a new
light, and to feel my responsibilities far more than I did before;
and I know it is all through your influence. I feel it would have
been indeed a happy year to me if the only blessing it had brought
me had been your friendship, which I value far more than I can ever
tell you.... My heart clings to every little remembrance of you one
by one, and they are all very dear to me.

No account of her life would be adequate which did not bring out the
stimulating effect of Bessie's friendship, and the way in which even an
hour spent with her would have its result, and open a way to useful
activity. Miss Law was specially influenced with regard to her poems, in
which Bessie took a warm interest. At first they were sent for approval
and criticism, but before long Miss Law was more than able to stand
alone, and she published a small volume, which was w