sister had noticed it. He could hardly resolve to open it, for surely
Charles would not write to him without necessity; and what, save sorrow,
could cause that necessity? He saw that his wretchedness might be even
more complete! At length he read it, and could hardly believe his own
eyes as he saw cheering words, in a friendly style of interest and
kindliness such as he would never have expected from Charles, more
especially now.

'Hollywell, March 6th.

'MY DEAR PHILIP,--I believe my father wrote to you in haste yesterday,
but I am sure you will be anxious for further accounts, and when there
is good news there is satisfaction in conveying it. I know you will be
glad to hear our affairs are very prosperous; and Amy, whom I have just
been visiting, is said by the authorities to be going on as well as
possible. She begs me to tell you of her welfare, and to assure you that
she is particularly pleased to have a daughter; or, perhaps, it will be
more satisfactory to have her own words. "You must tell him how well
I am, Charlie, and how very glad. And tell him that he must not vex
himself about her being a girl, for that is my great pleasure; and I
do believe, the very thing I should have chosen if I had set to work to
wish." You know Amy never said a word but in all sincerity, so you must
trust her, and I add my testimony that she is in placid spirits, and may
well be glad to escape the cares of Redclyffe. My father says he desired
Markham to write to you on the business matters. I hope the sea-breezes
may do you good. All the party here are well; but I see little of them
now, all the interest of the house is upstairs.

--Your affectionate,

'C. M, EDMONSTONE.

P. S. The baby is very small, but so plump and healthy, that no one
attempts to be uneasy about her.'

Never did letter come in better time to raise a desponding heart. Of
Amabel's forgiveness he was already certain; but that she should have
made Charles his friend was a wonder beyond all others. It gave him more
hope for the future than he had yet been able to entertain, and showed
him that the former note was no studied renunciation of him, but only an
ebullition of Mr. Edmonstone's disappointment.

It gave him spirit enough to undertake what he had long been meditating,
but without energy to set about it--an expedition to Stylehurst.
Hitherto it had been his first walk on coming to St. Mildred's, but now
the distance across the moor was far be