A WELCOME LETTER. 23 



hundred little pieces of coloured wood and bone, and 

 represents a flower piece.' 



Miss Eraser's next letter was brief, but gave a good 

 account of her state of health. She had been visiting 

 Mrs Taylor, a friend resident on the Nigg side of the 

 Cromarty ferry, and had reaped much benefit, both in the 

 way of health and of happiness, from ' the quiet cheer- 

 fulness of a united and happy family/ Miller evidently 

 loses no time in replying. 



' You were not mistaken, my Lydia, in thinking 

 that your letter, short as it was, would meet with a 

 sincere welcome. I had become extremely uneasy re- 

 garding you, for I attributed your silence to indisposi- 

 tion ; the mail drives up to the Post-office here by a 

 street which fronts my window ; and regularly as the 

 hour of its arrival came, 'tis a late one, I used to 

 watch the approach of its two flaring lanterns, that seem 

 two terrific eyes, in the hope of hearing from you. But 

 evening after evening passed, and still no letter, and I 

 began to indulge in the gloomiest forebodings. Think, 

 then, what my feelings must have been, when, on perus- 

 ing your kind, though brief epistle, I found you were 

 well and not unhappy. I am much indebted to the 

 kindness of Mrs Taylor ; and the time may come, my 

 lassie, when there will be no impropriety in thanking 

 her for it. 



' I am much gratified by your literary scheme. I 

 have long ago told you that you are not one of those 

 who can be at once indolent and happy ; and I am sure 

 you must often have felt that the remark was a just one. 

 Your mind is highly active, and must have employment ; 

 and I know no exercise more suited to it than the one 

 you propose. We must mutually assist and encourage 

 each other, my Lydia, and should you be unsuccessful 



