My Dear Mr. Duncan:—

I think that my manner toward my friends and acquaintances usually represents me correctly. Truth to one's self will not always allow absolute uniformity in one's outward action. This, I trust, will sufficiently account for any change you may have noticed in my attitude toward you. I think a further exchange of explanations will not be profitable.

Yours truly,
Marguerite Reiley.


167. From a Gentleman to a Young Lady Asking the Privilege of a Correspondence.

M——, July 7, 19—.

My Dear Miss Lyman:—

To-day, I send you by express a few little articles belonging to you which my sister Eva, after your somewhat hurried departure, found in her room and in the library. I hope they will reach you safely before you notice that they have been forgotten.

I thank you for inadvertently furnishing me, by your oversight, a plausible excuse for writing. I should esteem it a very great privilege if you would grant me permission to write again without an excuse for doing so, and I should be gratefully happy if I might receive a reply from you once in a while.

The house seems quite deserted since you left. We all miss you—and "all" contains a very emphatic capital "I." Shall send the pictures as soon as I have finished developing them. I believe Eva is writing you all the news.