I think, take it all in all, that seeing my first illustrations printed has given me greater joy than I shall ever again experience on earth.
My daily intercourse with the Princess Mistchenka continues to comfort me, inspire me, and fill me with determination so to educate myself that when the time comes I shall be ready and able to support myself with pen and pencil.
And now I must bring my letter to its end. The prospect of seeing you very soon is agreeable beyond words. You have been very kind to me. I do not forget it.
Yours very sincerely,
Ruhannah Carew.
The enclosure was a note from the Princess Mistchenka:
Dear Jim:
If in the past it has been my good fortune to add anything to yours, may I now invoke in you the memory of our very frank and delightful friendship?
When you first returned to America from Paris I found it possible to do for you a few favours in the way of making you known to certain editors. It was, I assure you, merely because I liked you and believed in your work, not because I ever expected to ask from you any favour in return. 154
Now, Fate has thrown an odd combination from her dice-box; and Destiny has veiled herself so impenetrably that nobody can read that awful visage to guess what thoughts possess her.
You, in America, have heard of the murder of the Austrian Archduke, of course. But—have you, in America, any idea what the consequences of that murder may lead to?