Alas dear love my heart is bleeding for my poor Father who is suffering badly as ever. We shall be at home again, all things continuing as they are, on Friday evening. Your letter was very precious to me & so are you ma mignonne. I shall soon have my hand in yours & read comfort in your kind face. This afternoon I am too sad to write more. It is a real anguish to see suffering that one cannot alleviate, & it requires some days to get calmness under trial.

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'ma mignonne' is a French way of saying 'my dear.'