“Yes, Catherine—but then he spoke of a speedy return home. They should have been here long before this time, or at least, he should have written to account for their delay. I send Henny regularly to the post-office—I have sent her to-day. I hope I may get a letter, though the chances seem to diminish.” Even while they spoke, the girl came in with a letter in her hand. Mrs. Clifton took it and looked at it, saying— “At last! It is from Havana, Catherine, from Archer.” She opened it, and as she read it, her face became very grave. And having finished, she fell into thought, and said— “It is as I feared.” “I trust there is no bad news, madam?” said Catherine. “You shall hear, Kate,” replied the lady, taking up the letter and reading as follows; “HAVANA, May 1, 18—. “MY DEAR MADAM— “I have to entreat your forgiveness for a silence of four or five weeks. I know that you will pardon the seeming neglect when you are advised of the cause. Every moment of my time for the last month has been taken up in attendance upon the sick couch of my dearest Carolyn. Since the opening of the spring, her health, for the last year so fragile, has fearfully failed. I have had the best medical advice to be found on the island, but her illness has baffled their utmost skill. They have recommended me to take her to the South of France. In order to do this, I have been obliged to resign my commission in the army. You have doubtless seen my resignation announced in the papers. I suppose the unsettled business of the White Cliffs estate must also suffer by my absence at this time. But what is that—what is anything! all things! in comparison to the health of my beloved Carolyn! I write in great haste, on the very eve of sailing, for we go on board the Swallow, bound from this port to Marseilles, to-day. “With undying respect and affection, “ARCHER CLIFTON.” “That is very distressing! Alas! then is life made up of nothing but vain desires and blighted hopes—of sorrow and sickness and death?” “I knew it would be so, Catherine—that was a secret reason I had for not meddling this last time in bringing about a reconciliation between Carolyn and Archer. I have known for two years past that she was following her mother. All those Gowers die early of consumption.” “But, madam, let us hope better things. This sea voyage and residence in the South of France, may restore her.” “Never, Catherine. And it was even cruel in the doctors to send her there, to die in a foreign land, among strangers. They had better have sent her home to the scenes of her childhood and youth, where we could have cheered and nursed her. Catherine, I feel very sad.”