MY DEAR VERENA,—I was both surprised and delighted to receive your great news. It removed a heavy burden from my mind, for it has been a grief all these months to think of you lying there. To be frank, I never expected you to leave your bed again, and have often said so, and even now I am fearful that there may be danger of a relapse. There are such things as false recoveries. But I shall hope for the best. I was embroidering a counterpane for you with “Resignation” on it (a favourite word with my dear mother) but I shall not go on with it.—Yours always affectionately, LOUISA CLX EVANGELINE BARRANCE TO VERENA RABY The editor of _The Beguiler, or The Invalid’s Friend_ presents her compliments to Miss Raby and begs to announce that the last number was the last. Hurrah! CLXI BRYAN FIELD TO SIR SMITHFIELD MARK DEAR SIR SMITHFIELD,—You have played, all unknowingly, such a leading part in my recent life that I must tell you the latest development. When you arranged for me to take over Dr. Ferguson’s patients at Kington, you did not expect that one of the inmates of Miss Raby’s house was the same Irish girl whom I found working in the French village where the hospital was situated to which—through your influence—I was appointed. Having done so much, although unconsciously, to throw these two people together again, you will be prepared to hear that they—that is to say, we—are now engaged to be married. My gratitude to you cannot be expressed in words. Believe me, yours sincerely, BRYAN FIELD. CLXII SIR SMITHFIELD MARK TO BRYAN FIELD MY DEAR FIELD,—I appear to be a very remarkable and meddlesome person, and your case is yet another reminder of how dangerous it is to be a human being. However, I cannot consider that any harm, but much the reverse, has been done this time; although your letter has made me nervous! Seriously, my young friend, I congratulate you with all my heart and wish for you a full measure of professional success and domestic happiness. If there is anything at any time that I can do for you, let me know; or, no, on second thoughts don’t let me know—there is clearly no need to! I am, yours sincerely, SMITHFIELD MARK _P.S._—Don’t talk about gratitude. Go on making remarkable cures, for the honour of Bart’s. That would be far more pleasing to me than any words. CLXIII RICHARD HAVEN TO CLEMENCY POWER