A TEMPORARY DEAD-LOCK By Thomas A. Janvier Copyright, 1891, by Harper & Brothers I. Mr. John Amesbury, Senior Warden of St. Jude's Church, Minneapolis, tothe Rev. Clement Markham: Vestry of St. Jude's, April 4th. Dear Mr. Markham, --At a special meeting of the wardens and vestry of St. Jude's Church held this day, it was unanimously decided to grant yourrequest for leave of absence from your duties as rector of this parishfrom June 1st till September 13th, inclusive, proximo, with permissionto go abroad. I am instructed further to state that the wardens andvestry of St. Jude's have much pleasure in granting your request, asthey feel that your zealous and very successful administration ofthe affairs of the parish has abundantly entitled you to a period ofrelaxation and rest. Your salary for the term of your absence will bepaid to you in advance. In my personal capacity, my dear Markham, permit me to add that I amdelighted that you are to have this holiday. You richly deserveit. By-the-way, a good deal of amusement was caused by the rathercharacteristic error in the date of your formal application for leave. Were you to receive precisely the holiday that you asked for, you wouldhave to turn back the wheels of time, for your letter was dated _lastyear!_ II. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mrs. Winthrop Tremont, Boston: St. Jude's Rectory, Minneapolis, May 15th. Dear Aunt Lucy, --We are getting on famously with our preparations forthe summer. Dear Clement is full of his visit to England, and I am surethat he will have a delightful time. The bishop has given him a letterof introduction to the Bishop of London, and another to Dean Rumford, of Canterbury, so a very desirable introduction to the best clericalsociety is assured to him. He expects to sail from New York on the_City of Paris_ June 5th, and to sail from London on the same vessel onSeptember 4th. This will bring him back to New York in plenty of time toget home to preach on the next Sunday, the 14th. He expects to write hissermon on the voyage. It would be delightful to go with him, but thisis impossible on account of the children. I have engaged board forthe summer at a small but very good hotel in the White Mountains--theOutlook House, Littleton, New Hampshire--and I expect to be verycomfortable there. I made a funny mistake in writing for my rooms. Idirected my first letter to Littleton, New York. Wasn't it absurd? Dear Clement expects to get some vestments in London, where theymake them so well, you know, and he has promised to bring me fromParis--where he will spend a fortnight--two dozen pairs of gloves andsix pairs of black silk stockings. Fancy my having six pairs of blacksilk stockings at once! I shall feel like a queen. The children are verywell. III. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mrs. Clement Markham, Littleton, NewHampshire: On board "City of Paris, " June 5th--3:80 p. M. . . . I stayed with my brotherRonald last night, and he and Van Cortlandt came down to see me off. I barely caught the steamer, for I forgot my watch--left it on themantel-piece in Ronald's chambers--and did not remember it until we werehalf-way down town. Ronald said, in his chaffing way, that I left myhead somewhere when I was a boy, and that I have been going aroundwithout it ever since. I wish that he and Van Cortlandt hadn't suchsilly notions about my incapacity in the ordinary affairs of life--notthat I really mind their nonsense, for you know how well I love themboth. I am very glad that you consented to go directly to the mountainsinstead of coming to New York to see me off. There was a great crowd onthe dock, and I much prefer to think of our tender parting. . . . Be sureto cable me on the 15th--the day that I get to London. The address, youknow, is simply, "Clement, London, " and I am to arrange with my bankersto have the despatch sent to me. Good-bye, my--Here is the pilot. IV. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mrs. Clement Markham, Littleton, NewHampshire: [Cable Despatch. ] London, June 16th. Why have you not cabled? V. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mrs. Clement Markham, Littleton, NewHampshire: Charing Cross Hotel, London, June 16th. . . . After I cabled you thismorning I remembered that I hadn't arranged with the bankers about mycable despatches. When I had rectified this error of omission I receivedyour despatch of yesterday. It was a very great relief to my mind tohave direct news from you, and to know of the safety and health of myloved ones, who are dearer to me. . . . VI. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mrs. Clement Markham, Littleton, NewHampshire: Charing Cross Hotel, London, August 20th. . . . I had a delightful fortnight in Paris. . . . I bought the gloves andthe stockings--it was droll, and not quite proper, about buying thestockings. I will tell you all about it when I get home. And I alsobought you Something Else that I am sure will be a pleasant surprise toyou when you see it. . . . His lordship, Dr. ------, has been kindness itself to me. I dined againat Lambeth Palace yesterday--a farewell dinner. I was a little late, Iam sorry to say, for I got into the wrong boat at Westminster Bridge, but his lordship very cordially accepted my excuses. At dinner I wasseated next to a very interesting man who has charge of a large parishin the east end of London. Such poverty as there is in that wretchedregion, and such moral depravity, are sickening to contemplate. ThankHeaven, there is nothing like it in Minneapolis. . . . I shall sail (D. V. ) on the _City of Paris_ two weeks from to-morrow. I think that the best arrangement will be for you to come down to youraunt Lucy's on the 11th, and on the 12th (D. V. ) I will join you at herhouse in Boston, whence we will start for home that evening _via_ theBoston and Albany. I must be in New York for a few hours to see Ronaldand to make the final arrangements about the new stained-glass windows. If you prefer to meet me in New York, arrange matters with Ronald, whowill meet you at the station and take you to a hotel. As I shall godirectly to his office on landing, I will find out at once what you havedecided to do. . . . On referring to your letter of the 10th I perceivethat you are afraid that I may have made some mistake about the sizesof the stockings and gloves. Of course I got the right sizes; I had itwritten down: "No. 61/4, long fingers, " and "No. 8 1/2, narrow ankles. "Don't fall into Ronald's way of fancying that I always get things wrong. It was about the narrow ankles that--But I had better wait and tell itto you when I get home. It certainly was very droll. I have bought amost satisfactory chasuble, very elegant in material and beautifullymade. I should have hesitated to buy so costly a garment for myself; butthis is for the Service of the Sanctuary. It will make something of astir among the congregation, I think, the first time that I wear it indear St. Jude's. . . . If, as is probable, I go down into Wales next week, this will be my last letter. My heart is full of joyful thankfulness tothink that so very soon I shall see again (D. V. ) my own dear Margaret, who. . . . VII. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mrs. Winthrop Tremont, Boston: Littleton, August 29th. Dear Aunt Lucy, --I have just received a long and delightful letter fromdear Clement. He had a lovely time in Paris, and he has bought me thegloves and the silk stockings, and also Something Else; but he won'ttell me what this other thing is, for he means it to be a surprise. Doyou think it could _possibly_ be the silk for a dress? He knows how muchI want a new black silk. But I shall not think about it, for I don'twant to be disappointed. He has had such delightful dinners with hislordship the Bishop of London at Lambeth Palace. His lordship was"kindness itself, " Clement writes. Clement must have made a veryfavorable impression, of course. And Clement writes that he has boughtsuch a love of a chasuble. It will stir up the whole congregation thefirst time that he wears it, I am sure. If it is _quite_ convenient to you, dear Aunt Lucy, I shall come down toyou, with the nurse and the children, on the 11th. That is the day thatClement will arrive in New York, and he writes that he will come toBoston the next day--after seeing Ronald, and attending to the finalarrangements about our beautiful new chancel windows--and join me atyour house. But if this arrangement is the _least bit inconvenient_ to you, pleasetell me so frankly, for I can perfectly well meet him in New York, where Ronald will take care of me till he comes--a plan that he alsohas arranged in case I do not go to you. Dear Clement always is sothoughtful and careful, you know. Please answer soon, so that I may knowwhat to do. The weather is quite chilly here now. The children are brownas little berries and very well. Baby has cut another tooth. VIII. Mrs. Winthrop Tremont to Mrs. Clement Markham, Littleton, New Hampshire: No. 19 Mount Vernon Place, August 30th. My dear Margaret, --I write atonce because, I am very sorry to say, it will be impossible for meto have you here on the date that you name. I have just completed myarrangements for having the entire house papered and painted. Allthe furniture is locked up in the dining-room (that was done up, youremember, last summer), and I set out this afternoon on a round ofvisits that will fill up the time until September 12th, when I ampromised that the work will be done. The servants are to have holidaysand the painters and paper-hangers are to be in complete possession ofthe premises. Could I be sure that they would keep their promises andget through by the 12th, I should urge your coming on that day, whichstill would be in time to meet Clement, instead of on the 11th. But youknow how uncertain people of this sort are. Much as I would love to haveyou and Clement with me, I think that you had better follow out yoursecond plan, and go to Ronald's care in New York. IX. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mr. Ronald Markham, New York: Littleton, August 31st. Dear Ronald, --Clement had arranged, in case we could stay at AuntLucy's, to meet me in Boston on his return. But I have just received aletter from Aunt Lucy in which she says that her house is torn up, andthat we cannot possibly come to her before the 12th. Therefore I mustadopt the other plan that dear Clement, with his usual thoughtfulness, has suggested, which is to meet him in New York. He tells me to ask youto engage rooms for me in some quiet hotel, and also to ask you to meetme on my arrival with the children and nurse. I shall leave here onthe morning of the 10th by the White Mountain Express (that gets inat Jersey City, I think); and if you will care for me in the way thatClement suggests, I shall be very grateful. Clement has had a lovely time during his holiday. He has been especiallyfavored by seeing a great deal of the higher clergy. He has dinedrepeatedly with the Lord Archbishop of London at Lambeth Palace, andI am sure that he must have created a very favorable impression amongthem, and given them a highly satisfactory idea of the clergymen of theAmerican branch of the Anglican Church. Please answer soon, so that Imay know what to do. I forgot to say that Clement expects to arrive onthe 11th. He is to sail on the 4th. X. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mrs. Clement Markham, Littleton, NewHampshire: [Cable Despatch. ] Liverpool, September 3d. Sail to-day. XI. Mr. Ronald Markham to Mrs. Clement Markham, Littleton, New Hampshire: [Telegram. ] San Antonio, Texas, September 5th. Here for a week on railroad business. Van Cortlandt will secure yourooms and meet you. Write him at No. 120 Broadway. XII. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mr. Hubert Van Cortlandt, New York: Littleton, September 5th. Dear Mr. Van Cortlandt, --By a telegram that I have just received fromRonald, I find that he is in Texas. I had written to him to ask him tosecure rooms for me at some quiet hotel, and to meet me at JerseyCity on the evening of the 10th, on the arrival of the White MountainExpress. Of course he cannot do this now, and he telegraphs me to askyou to do it all in his place. I feel that I am taking a great libertyin asking so much of you, but I really cannot help myself. I hadexpected to meet Clement in Boston at my aunt's, but my aunt is out oftown; and now Ronald is away from New York. It is very provoking. So, you see, I can only throw myself on your mercy. But I do this with theless hesitation because I know how strong your friendship is for my dearClement, who will be, as I will be also, very grateful to you. I am very much puzzled by a cable despatch from Clement that came twodays ago. It reads, "Sail to-day, " and is dated September _third_. Clement's passage was engaged on the _City of Paris_, which I know wasadvertised to sail on September _fourth_, and that is the date that heall along has named for his return. Can the date of sailing have beenchanged? Ought I to come to New York one day earlier? Everything seemsto be going wrong of late, and I am both worried and perplexed. Ifyou can think of any comforting explanation that will account for thischange, I shall be very much obliged to you. Please give my kindestregards to Mrs. Van Cortlandt. XIII. Mr. Hubert Van Cortlandt to Mrs. Clement Markham, Littleton, NewHampshire: Law Offices of Van Cortlandt, Howard, Warrington & Edgecombe, EquitableBuilding, 120 Broadway. [Dictated. ] New York, September 7th. My dear Mrs. Markham, --Your favor of the 5th is received. I am very gladindeed that I shall have this opportunity to serve you. You must notconsider yourself under any obligation at all. Remember how closeClement is to me, though our ways in life have separated widely, andhow true his friendship has been to me through all these years. I amdelighted that Ronald is out of town, and that I am to be permitted toserve you in his place. I regret exceedingly that Mrs. Van Cortlandt is still in theCatskills, and that our house still remains in its condition of summerdismantlement. Were she at home, and the house in order, you wouldcome directly to us, of course. As this cannot be, I have engaged anapartment for you with my old landlady, Mrs. Warden, No. 68 ClintonPlace. For a number of years before I was married I occupied rooms inthis house, and I am confident that you will be far more comfortablethere than you possibly could be at any hotel. Mrs. Warden, who is amotherly old body, and who remembers Clement well, will take the best ofcare of you, and I have arranged that your meals shall be sent across toyou from the Brevoort. In regard to Clement's cable despatch, I am as much puzzled as you are. One of my young men has just returned from the office of the Inman Line, and reports that the _City of Paris_ sailed on her regular date, the4th, and is due to arrive here on Wednesday next, the 11th. My young manwas assured that no steamer belonging to any of the regular lines leftLiverpool for this port on the 3d. The Cunard steamer _Samaria_ didleave Liverpool on the 3d, however, for Boston. It is possible, ofcourse--since your original plan seems to have been that you and Clementshould meet in Boston--that he has sailed in the _Samaria_. But I do notthink that this is probable. The _Samaria_ is a much slower boat thanthe _City of Paris_, and I think that even Clement would perceive thatby sailing in her he would lose time instead of gaining it. Frankly, mydear Mrs. Markham, I think that Clement simply has mixed things up inhis despatch by writing "today" when he meant "to-morrow. " Bless hisdear old heart! he always did have a faculty for getting things wrong, you know. I decidedly advise you, therefore, to come down to New York onthe 10th, as you have already arranged. I observe that you speak of the White Mountain Express as coming in atJersey City. This is a mistake: it arrives at the Forty-second StreetStation. Bear this fact in mind, please; and I advise you to write ona card--which you had better have easily accessible in yourpocket-book--Mrs. Warden's address, No. 68 Clinton Place. Then, shouldI miss you in the crowd at the station, or should any other mischanceoccur in regard to our meeting, you will know where to tell your driverto take you, and where to send your trunks. Do not fear that any suchuntoward accident will occur: it is only professional prudence thatleads me to provide for every contingency that may arise. As a furtherprecautionary measure (we lawyers are full of precautionary measures, you know), please telegraph me from Littleton on the morning that youleave. XIV. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mr. Hubert Van Cortlandt, New York: Littleton, September 9th. Dear Mr. Van Cortlandt, --Your very kind letter came last evening. Icannot tell you how grateful I am to you for all your goodness andthoughtfulness. With such explicit directions I cannot possibly gowrong. You must be right, I think, in regard to the cable despatch. Sucha mistake would be just what dear Clement would be almost certain tomake when in one of his absent-minded moods. I will do all the prudentthings which you so thoughtfully advise, and I shall keep your letterto show to dear Clement, so that he may know how much trouble you havetaken to make everything about my arrival secure. Of course, the traindoes not come in at Jersey City: I remember about it now perfectly. Iam in the thick of packing to-day, and expect to get off in the morning;but I will telegraph you before I start. I don't want to bother youwith this letter at your office, so I send it to your house. I find theaddress in Clement's address-book. Am I not considerate? XV. Dr. Atwood Vance to Mr. Hubert Van Cortlandt, New York: [Telegram. ] Tannersyille, New York, September 9th. Mrs. Van Cortlandt takendangerously ill in night, and continues in critical condition. Come atonce. XVI. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mr. Hubert Van Cortlandt, New York: [Telegram. Endorsed: "Not delivered. Party out of town. "] Littleton, New Hampshire, September 10th. Will arrive on White MountainExpress this evening. XVII. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mrs. Clement Markham, No. 19 Mount VernonPlace, Boston: [Telegram. Endorsed: "Returned to sender. Unknown at this address. "] Breyoort House, New York, September 11th. Arrived this morning. Will bewith you (D. V. ) to-morrow. XVIII. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mrs. Winthrop Tremont, No. 19 Mount VernonPlace, Boston: [Telegram. Endorsed: "Returned to sender. Addressee absent fromBoston. "] Breyoort House, New York, September 11th. Is Margaret with you? Pleaseanswer at once. XIX. The Rev. Clement Markham to Clerk, Outlook House, Littleton, NewHampshire: [Telegram. ] Breyoort House, New York, September 11th. Is Mrs. Markham still atOutlook House? Answer prepaid. XX Clerk, Outlook House, to the Rev. Clement Markham, New York: [Telegram. ] Littleton, New Hampshire, September 11th. Mrs. Markham left on morningtrain yesterday for New York. XXI. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mr. John Amesbury, Minneapolis: [Telegram. ] Breyoort House, New Tore, September 11th. Has Mrs. Markham returned toMinneapolis? Please answer immediately. XXII. Mr. John Amesbury to the Rev. Clement Markham, New York: [Telegram. ] Minneapolis, September 11th. Mrs. Markham has not returned. Glad you areback safe. XXIII. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mr. Ronald Markham, Menger House, SanAntonio, Texas: [Telegram. ] Breyoort House, New York, September 11th. [Delivered September 12th. ] Did Margaret communicate with you in regard to her intended movements? Icannot find her and am much perturbed. Answer at once. XXIV. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mr. Hubert Van Cortlandt, No. --Broadway, NewYork: No. 68 Clinton Place, September 11th. Dear Mr. Van Cortlandt, --I was sosorry that, after all, we did miss each other in the crowd last night. But I got along very well, thanks to your forethought in telling me justwhat to do, though I must confess that I had five very dreadful minuteswhile I was looking for the card on which I had written Mrs. Warden'saddress. And where do you suppose I found it at last? It was in mypocket-book, just where you told me to put it! Wasn't it absurd? So thenwe came down here very comfortably, and found the delightful apartmentthat you had secured for me. As for Mrs. Warden, she is as good as gold. She even had warm milk ready for Teddy, and a delicious cup of tea forme. I never shall be able to thank you enough for all that you havedone. What arrangements have you made about bringing Clement to me? If thedear boy hasn't gone on that slow ship to Boston, and has come, as youthink he has, on the _City of Paris_, he ought to arrive today. I shouldlove to go down to the dock and be the very first to welcome him. Butin such a crowd as there will be I ought not to venture, ought I? Pleaselet me know by bearer just what you have done about our meeting, andwhen I am to expect my dear boy. XXV. Mr. Robert Warrington to Mrs. Clement Markham, No. 68 Clinton Place, NewYork: Law Offices of Van Cortlandt, Howard, Warrington & Edgecombe, EquitableBuilding, No. 120 Broadway. New York, September 11th. Miss (or Mrs. ) Margaret Markham: Dear Madam, --Replying, in the absence of Mr. Van Cortlandt, to yoursof even date, I would say that Mr. Van Cortlandt was called out oftown suddenly yesterday by the dangerous illness of his wife. I haveno knowledge of the matter concerning which you inquire, and regret, therefore, my inability to supply the information which you ask. Imay say, however, that the _City of Paris_, as I have ascertained bytelephone, arrived at her dock about half an hour ago. Should you desireto telegraph Mr. Van Cortlandt, his address is the Bear and Fox Inn, Tannersville, Greene County, New York. XXVI. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mr. Hubert Van Cortlandt, Bear and Fox Inn, Tannersville, Greene County, New York: [Telegram. ] 68 Clinton Place, New York, September 11th. [Delivered September 12th. ] What arrangements did you make for letting Clement know where to findme? If he came on the _City of Paris_ he is here in New York now. I amanxious. So sorry about Mrs. Van Cortlandt. XXVII. Mr. Ronald Markham to the Rev. Clement Markham, New York: [Telegram. ] San Antonio, Texas, September 12th. Do not know Margaret's plans. Thinkshe arranged matters with Van Cortlandt. See him. XXVIII. Mr. Hubert Van Cortlandt to Mrs. Clement Markham, New York: [Telegram. ] Tannersyille, September 12th. Made no arrangements. Expected to meetClement at dock. Sorry if I have occasioned you annoyance. You knowcause of neglect. Mrs. Van Cortlandt now out of danger. XXIX. The Rev. Clement Markham to Mr. Ronald Markham, San Antonio, Texas: [Telegram. ] Breyoort House, New York, September 12th. Van Cortlandt inCatskills with sick wife. Saw his partner, Edgecombe, who can tell menothing. I have ascertained that Margaret left Littleton day before yesterday forthis city. With her departure from Littleton all trace of her is lost. She has not returned to Minneapolis. I am wellnigh crazed with grief andanxiety. Advise me at once what is best to be done. Shall I advertise?Will it be well to employ the police? For Heaven's sake, answer promptlyand fully! XXX. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mrs. Winthrop Tremont, Boston: [Telegram. ] 68 Clinton Place, New York, September 12th. _City of Paris_ arrived. Mrs. Warden been to dock and got passenger list. Clement's name in it, so he certainly made mistake in his cable despatch. I state facts fullyand clearly, so that you may understand why Mr. Van Cortlandt was calledsuddenly to see sick wife in Catskills, and so, while Clement must behere in New York, perhaps close by me, am unable to find him, and he, ofcourse, does not in the least know where to find me. There are hundredsof hotels here in New York, and he may be at all of them. I don't knowwhat to do, and am almost frantic with anxiety. Telegraph me at once, dear Aunt Lucy, and make telegram perfectly clear, like mine, and longand full and explicit. This is no time to think about what telegraphingcosts. Perhaps Clement has gone on to you, or the other ship may havegot in sooner. If he is with you, implore him to return to me at once. Would it be well for me to employ the police? That was my first thought, but I was afraid that I might make his disappearance get into thenewspapers and be a scandal, and that would not do for a clergyman. Andhe has not really disappeared; it is only that we neither of us knowwhere we each are. My head is one horrible buzz. Shall I advertise? HadI better offer a reward? Give me your best advice, dear Aunt Lucy, andplease answer immediately. XXXI. Mr. Ronald Markham to Mrs. Winthrop Tremont, Boston: [Telegram. ] San Antonio, Texas, September 18th. [Delivered 18th. ] Clement is at Brevoort House, New York. By characteristic blunder hasmissed Margaret. If you know her address, please telegraph him. XXXII. Mrs. Winthrop Tremont to Mr. Ronald Markham, New York (forwarded to SanAntonio, Texas): [Telegram. ] Boston, September 12th. [Delivered 13 th. ] Margaret is at No. 68 Clinton Place, in great distress because Clementdoes not come to her. What foolishness has overtaken these innocentsnow? Please set them right. XXXIII. Mrs. Winthrop Tremont to Mrs. Clement Markham, No. 68 Clinton Place, NewYork: [Telegram. ] Boston, September 13th. Clement is at the Brevoort House, quite close byyou. XXXIV. Mr. Ronald Markham to the Rev. Clement Markham, Brevoort House, NewYork: [Telegram. ] San Antonio, Texas, September 13th. You will find Margaret at No. 68Clinton Place, directly across the street from your hotel. XXXV. Mrs. Clement Markham to Mrs. Winthrop Tremont, Boston: St. Jude's Rectory, Minneapolis, September 23d. Dear Aunt Lucy, --We left New York early last Monday, and by Tuesdaynight we were once more safe and together here in our own dear home. Wehad no misadventures on our journey, except that we nearly missed ourconnection at Syracuse (where we left the parlor-car for the sleeper)by getting on the wrong train. Fortunately dear Clement found out hismistake just in time. I had not the energy to do more than telegraph you from New York thatall our troubles were ended. I was too much upset by the agony that Ihad been through to write. It was a very dreadful two days, dearAunt Lucy; the most dreadful--especially that second day and the lastnight--that I have ever known. And dear Clement suffered even more thanI did, for I knew at least that he was alive, and he knew absolutelynothing about me at all. It all seems now like a horrible dream, andwhen I shut my eyes and think about it, I turn giddy and feel sick andfaint. You cannot possibly imagine, dear Aunt Lucy, how utterly, utterlydreadful it all was! If it had not been so very dreadful, it would have been a little absurd, I think; for, you know, all the while that we were in such terribledistress about being unable to find each other, we actually could haveopened our windows and talked to each other just across the street! AsI found out, when at last dear Clement came to me, his room in theBrevoort House was directly opposite my apartment at No. 68 ClintonPlace. Was it not strange? And what was still stranger, dear Aunt Lucy, was that the very morning that our agony ended I happened to look acrossthe street, and there, hanging beside an open window of the hotel, I sawa lovely chasuble that I knew must belong to some clergyman, and itmade me think of the chasuble that Clement had written he had bought inLondon--and it really was that very chasuble, you know, for Clement hadhung it there to get the creases out of it--and seeing it set me intoa perfect agony of grief, for I thought that I never was to see my dearhusband again, and that my children were fatherless, and that I wasa widow, and that there was nothing left for me in the world but theblackest despair. And it was while I was crying my very heart out thatthere was a knock at the door, and then, in a single instant, all mysorrow was ended as I found myself once more in dear Clement's arms. Yesterday dear Clement preached a beautiful sermon about man'sliability to error, and the mysterious ways through which human errorprovidentially is set right. It was a very impressive sermon. In theservice he wore his new chasuble. It is exceedingly becoming. Everybodywas very much moved by the sermon; and I was moved, of course, mostof all. I could not help crying. Dear Clement's voice trembled onceor twice, and I saw that there were tears in his eyes. The gloves areperfect, and the stockings really are too good to be true. They areopen-work over the ankles, and three of the six pairs are ribbed. I wishthat I could tell you what a queer time dear Clement had when he wasbuying them. He bought them in a French shop in Paris, you know; andwhen he asked for stockings with narrow ankles, the young woman who waswaiting on him--But it will be better to wait until I can tell it toyou. It was very funny. And the very best of all, dear Aunt Lucy, isthat the surprise that Clement would not write to me about _is_ the silkfor a new black silk dress! It is a lovely quality. I do wish that youcould have heard Clement's beautiful sermon yesterday, and that youcould have seen how handsome he looked in his new chasuble. The weatherto-day is very warm. The children are wonderfully well.