let me have a favorable report of you on my return. I feel every hour I am separated from you as long as I used to feel a week before our marriage or at least before we became so attached to each other, and I sincerely trust that I may never have occasion to diminish that affection that commenced in such a romantic manner and that I trust may end in our hearts being knit together until death!! Which after all only commences the endless stage of our existence. What are a few years upon earth compared to that endless eternity of which the most enlightened human idea can form no conception. My dear Douglas let our hearts be so united in this earthly sphere that we may never change through eternity but that we may so conduct ourselves as to have a hope of never separating and of being united again to those who have preceded us. Our greatest shield and protection is that merciful God whose spirit pervades the