In a few weeks Letty was about again. A pale, thin, serious, but energetic-looking woman. Could that be the once laughing, blithe, singing Letty? It was the same bright, pure spirit, saddened but ennobled by the ordeal of trial and distress, and by a life’s aim the noblest and most sacred that ever lifted a womanly soul into the regions of a wisdom beyond her years. She soon returned her attention to business. Closely veiled, she walked silently through the quietest streets from her house to the warehouse; but the marked respect, the lifted hats of the gentlemen, the regardful and sympathising looks of ladies, and the deep curtseys of humbler women, as she passed, showed what a sensation the narrative of her doings and sufferings had created in the place. Thomas Barnsdale, by his silent, respectful attention, showed the same effect on him. One of the first papers that he put into her hand, was a deed of gift, regularly drawn by a legal hand, and duly executed by Thorsby, making over to her and their son the whole of the property and trade in Castleborough. He had reserved only to himself the business in London, which, as a commission business, received the goods manufactured at Castleborough, and exported them on a percentage. This deeply affected Letty. It showed that amid all the weakness and impulsive folly of her husband, there were great redeeming qualities in him, and she was more than ever resolved to hope for his final recovery, and to devote her life to that object. Her father, tremendously incensed against him, told her to leave the business to Barnsdale, and the house to Thorsby’s mother, and come back to Woodburn Grange, where the tenderest love awaited her. But Letty held to her wiser course. Old Mrs. Thorsby, already in ill health, was completely broken down by these last unhappy events, and could not last long. Letty would not leave her, but attended her with every loving care. To make the business more secure, she gave Thomas Barnsdale a certain share in it, of which he was equally deserving, from his faithfulness and unwearied attention to its interests. Not many weeks, however, passed without another blow from the evil fate which now seemed to be pursuing Thorsby and his family. Letty received a letter from her husband, informing her that his agent in New York had absconded with 5000_l._ of his money, and left the goods in the warehouse there very much exposed. He was that moment departing for Liverpool to embark for America. When he might return was uncertain; but if God could hear the prayer of such a wretch, he prayed for all His blessings on her and their dear child. Letty, struck as with a sudden wound, hastened to the counting-house to inform Mr. Barnsdale of this startling news. She found that he already was in possession of it. “What is the extent of the hazard?” she asked. “Will it ruin us?”