we are placed. Two circumstances made me very dull last night, so much so that Thomas, who is a very pleasant gentlemanly man and very fond of me, must have noticed it. One was a report by the vessel before I opened the letters that you were very ill. I then heard that Grey wished to see me and I thought there must be something seriously wrong so that even although I perused your letters twice over I still felt so apprehensive on your account that I had serious thoughts of starting overland to Wellington. This morning however I was saluted by my old boy Epiha, who told me he called up to see you on Sunday last and that you were then quite well and looking well. Afterwards I again read over your letter of Tuesday last, the 11 inst and find on calmly perusing it that you are quite recovered and delighted am I to hear that Dr Featherston is quite surprised with Mama's improvement and that she is able to sit up for two or three hours. I must now go to my box for Papa's letter of the 13th. His report I fear