with whom I found an atmosphere as totally different from the one in my home as—on the other hand—rom the artistic one which I came to know through your countryman; and this helped, more than I can say, to bring me peace. But I can never forget that it was Mr. Stephensen who by his sympathy and interest for me, first of all awoke my feeling of pride and prevented me from being ruined by the unhealthy atmosphere which surely bid fair to destroy me.
"With regard to our correspondence, it has continued ever since, with longer or shorter intervals, for a year and a half. He has always answered my letters rather quickly and asked me to write again soon; sometimes he has sent a leaf of his sketch-book, and last Christmas a beautiful painting. In order to make you understand this kind of correspondence, I beg you to read the enclosed letter, which has already been through your hands. Not that I think you have any suspicion from which I could, by this means, clear myself; but you will not misunderstand my fancy, even if you do not understand it. Perhaps I do not understand it myself, but only feel that I want you to know it; it even seems to me as if the circumstances have given you a sort of right to do so, and as if by simply tearing the letter up I should deprive you of it. Send it off I will not, for, as you will see by the date, it will soon be a fortnight old; I was sure that I had posted it, and rather expected the case to be reversed, and that the post would bring me a letter from him.
"And now, good-bye! I have been writing half the night and am dreadfully tired. My hope is that you will not judge me too harshly after this communication, but, anyhow, you must tell me quite candidly what impression this letter has made on you, and not out of kindness be too
