The next evening when Raymond returned home, he placed in the hands of his wife an open letter, addressed to herself in Sophie’s hand-writing. A year ago, Hagar would have fiercely resented this cool violation of her seal—now her soul was too large and joyous to cavil about her personal dignity, or even to think about it at all. Pressing and kissing the hand that brought her the letter, she sat down to read it. It was short. Our dear Sophie was no scribe. It ran thus: “U.S. STORE SHIP RAINBOW, “October 13th, 18—. “DEAREST HAGAR,—We, Augustus and myself, wish you and Raymond much joy of your young daughters. We gladly accept your affectionate invitation to visit you, and shall be with you on the first of November. Not, however, as you kindly insist upon our doing, to remain with you for any length of time. The fact is, that Captain Wilde is ordered to the Mediterranean; and as I have no babies to prevent me, I am going out with him: it is his wish, and _mine_. We cannot take Rosalia with us, because being still ‘afraid of the water,’ she refuses to go. Gusty has been ordered to the same service, and will sail of course at the same time. He will accompany us on our visit to you, as also of course will Rosalia. If you can keep Rosalia, we wish to leave her with you—if not, we shall be compelled to take the dear girl to the South, and place her in charge of her future mother-in-law, Emily Buncombe. In either case, Captain Wilde wishes to be held responsible for her board and all other expenses—as we have resolved to leave her small patrimony untouched, to accumulate at compound interest. Once more accept our heartfelt congratulations, and believe me always “Your affectionate aunt, “SOPHIE WILDE.” Hagar’s hands, with her letter, dropped upon her lap, and she fell into thought. “You will write by the return mail, and accept the charge of your cousin, Hagar?” “Y-es,” said she, “certainly”—but a shadow fell upon her brow. He did not observe it, or appear to observe it, and continued, “And _when_ you write, Hagar, give them gently to understand that their hint concerning the payment of board was a little impertinent, to say the _least_, even if it were not, as I hope and wish to believe it _was_ not, a piece of intentional arrogance on the part of Captain Wilde.” “I can tell them it was unnecessary. But I am sure no arrogance was meant or felt—how could they be arrogant towards _us_! If they spoke to us of payment, they made the mistake in the simple, straightforward spirit of their hearts, unsuspicious of the chance of giving offence; but,” said she, pondering, “I wonder when Rosalia and Gusty are to be married. Sophie has not given me the least idea of the time.”