"Oh, auntie, auntie, what shall I do? For three nights I have not closed my eyes, and I would not write even to you, auntie dear, because I kept hoping that, after all, things might come right, and he would come back again. Oh, how I have listened to every sound, and watched the road till my poor eyes ache! And now this is the fourth day since he went away, and, oh, auntie, I am so frightened, for I am sure he is gone after that dreadful man, and, oh, if he should meet him, I know something terrible will happen, for you can't tell how he looked, poor Edward, I mean, when he went away. But, indeed, auntie, you must not be angry with him, for I know it was all my own fault, for I ought to have told him everything long ago, though indeed, indeed, I never cared for him, and I do love dear Edward so dearly. I was afraid.... [Here the MS. becomes in places very blotted and illegible.] ... and I thought it was all at an end, and then ... and only a fortnight ago we were so happy ... married hardly seven months and ... but you must not think I am complaining of him, dear auntie, for you don't know how.... Only if you can, come to me, for I feel getting so ill, and you know it is only God bless you, auntie; oh, do come to me if you can. "GERTRUDE BOLETON." 2. _Extract of letter from the Same to the Same, written about four days later._ * * * * * "I am so sorry to hear you are so ill; don't try to come, darling auntie; I shall do somehow, and if not, anything is better than this horrible suspense.... No tidings yet, but I cannot write more, for I can hardly see to guide the pen, and my poor head seems to open and shut. God bless you, auntie. "G." "I open my letter to thank you so much for sending dear kind Mrs. Ward; she came in so unexpectedly (in a blue [2]) just as if she had come from heaven. I wonder if she has seen Ed....? [Here the MS. ends suddenly.] 3. _From Mrs. Ward to Honourable C. B**, enclosing the above._ "Beechwood,[3] Tuesday night. "MY DEAR CATHERINE,