'Very well; that's all. Say I am very sorry to hear she is suffering; and
if I can find time, I hope to see her to-day; and remember to say I have
not read her letter, but if I find it requires an answer, it shall have
one.'

He looked round like a man newly awakened, and up among the great boughs
and interlacing foliage of the noble trees, and the child made him two
courtesies, and departed towards Redman's Farm.

Lake sauntered back slowly toward the Hall. On his way, a rustic seat
under the shadow invited him, and he sat down, drawing Rachel's letter
from his pocket.

What a genius they have for teasing! How women do contrive to waste our
time and patience over nonsense! How ingeniously perverse their whimsies
are! I do believe Beelzebub employs them still, as he did in Eden, for
the special plague of us, poor devils. Here's a lecture or an exhortation
from Miss Radie, and a quantity of infinitely absurd advice, all which I
am to read and inwardly digest, and discuss with her whenever she
pleases. I've a great mind to burn it quietly.'

But he applied his match, instead, to his cigar; and having got it well
lighted, he leaned back, and broke the seal, and read this letter, which,
I suspect, notwithstanding his preliminary thoughts, he fancied might
contain matter of more practical import:--

'I write to you, my beloved and only brother, Stanley, in an altered
state of mind, and with clearer views of duty than, I think, I have ever
had before.'