"Very many thanks for your early intelligence of dear Gertrude's engagement. I, congratulate you most heartily, though as you have yourself alluded to it, I cannot deny that I should have been better pleased had Mr. Anderton, in addition to all his other good qualities, possessed that of a somewhat less nervous and excitable temperament. I have always liked him much; but with poor Gertrude's own delicate constitution I cannot but fear the results of such an union upon both. However, it is impossible to have everything, and in all other respects he seems more than unexceptionable, so once more I congratulate you heartily. Are you really thinking of coming up to the Exhibition?.... Give my best love to dear Gertrude, and say all that is kind and proper for us to her _fiancée._ Ever, dear Catherine, "Affectionately yours, "HELEN WARD." [Footnote 1: Great-aunt of the late Mrs. Anderton. The object of going so far back will presently appear.] [Footnote 2: Scratched out.] [Footnote 3: The residence of Sir Edward Boleton.] [Footnote 4: This letter is omitted as containing nothing of any importance.] SECTION II. [Illustration] 1. _Memorandum by Mr. Henderson._ We now come to that portion of Mrs. Anderton's[1] history which embraces the period between her marriage and the commencement of her last illness. For this I have been compelled to have recourse to various quarters. The information thus afforded is very complete, and taken in conjunction with what we have already seen in Miss B----'s correspondence of the previous life of this unfortunate lady, throws considerable light upon two important points to be hereafter noticed. The depositions, however, unavoidably run to a greater length than at this stage of the proceedings, their bearing on the main points of the case would render necessary, and I have therefore condensed them for your use in the following memorandum. Any portion, not sufficiently clear, may be elucidated by a reference to the originals enclosed.