Mr. Edmund Yates.
Gad's Hill Place, Higham by Rochester, Kent,
Sunday, Oct. 6th, 1861.
AFTER THE DEATH OF MR. ARTHUR SMITH.
My dear Edmund,
Coming back here to-day, I find your letter.
I was so very much distressed last night in thinking of it all, and I find it so very difficult to preserve my composure when I dwell in my mind on the many times fast approaching when I shall sorely miss the familiar face, that I am hardly steady enough yet to refer to the readings like a man. But your kind reference to them makes me desirous to tell you that I took Headland (formerly of St. Martin's Hall, who has always been with us in London) to conduct the business, when I knew that our poor dear fellow could never do it, even if he had recovered strength to go; and that I consulted with himself about it when I saw him for the last time on earth, and that it seemed to please him, and he said: "We couldn't do better."
Write to me before you come; and remember that I go to town Wednesday mornings.
Ever faithfully.
Miss Dickens.
Office of "All the Year Round,"
Thursday, Oct. 10th, 1861.