“Here,” said she, gravely, “is Paolo’s letter. Read it, and tell me what you think of it.”
Despard took the letter and began to read, while Mrs. Thornton, sitting opposite to him, watched his face.
The letter was in Italian, and was accompanied by a large and closely-written manuscript of many pages.
“HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, January 2, 1847.
“MY SWEETEST LITTLE SISTER,—I send you my diary, as I promised you, my Teresella, and you will see all my adventures. Take care of yourself, be happy, and let us hope that we may see one another soon. I am well, through the mercy of the good God, and hope to continue so. There is no such thing as music in this place, but I have found an organ where I can play. My Cremona is uninjured, though it has passed through hard times—it sends a note of love to my Teresina. Remember your Paolo to the just and upright Thornton, whom you love. May God bless my little sister’s husband, and fill his heart with love for the sweetest of children!
“Read this manuscript carefully, Teresuola mia dolcissima, and pray for the souls of those unhappy ones who perished by the pestilence.”
CHAPTER XV. — JOURNAL OF PAOLO LANGHETTI.
Liverpool, June 2, 1840.—I promised you, my Teresina, to keep a diary of all my wanderings, and now I begin, not knowing whether it will be worth reading or not, but knowing this: that my corellina will read it all with equal interest, whether it be trivial or important.