The next morning I received a little parcel directed in Minna's handwriting, and with the asylum seal.
At the top lay six sheets of note-paper, closely written; but on the last one the writing stopped at the top of the second page.
"Deareast Friend,—The doctor has told me that you have been here, and brought me your regards; he also has promised to give you my love, when you come again. It is an intense consolation to me to know that you are so near.
"I will write to you, only a little now and again, for it always moves me deeply, and the doctor has impressed upon me, most of all, to avoid all agitating thoughts, which, with this one exception, I do. But write I must, because only in that way can I avoid a constant restlessness. For I have the feeling that I might die suddenly; the doctor laughs at me when I say so, but it seems to me that I can see that he himself thinks the same. Still perhaps it is only weakness. At the same time it will be a'comfort to me to know that you will get a message from me, if it should happen.
"I have so much resting on my heart that I must tell you. I have collected your letters and some little things that I should not like to fall into other hands; and each time I add to this letter, I will enclose it in the parcel that I have already addressed to you.
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