Full seven happy years I have been the mistress of Bleak House. The few words that I have to add to what I have written are soon penned; then I and the unknown friend to whom I write will part for ever. Not without much dear remembrance on my side. Not without some, I hope, on his or hers.
They gave my darling into my arms, and through many weeks I never left her. The little child who was to have done so much was born before the turf was planted on its father's grave. It was a boy; and I, my husband, and my guardian gave him his father's name.
The help that my dear counted on did come to her, though it came, in the eternal wisdom, for another purpose. Though to bless and restore his mother, not his father, was the errand of this baby, its power was mighty to do it. When I saw the strength of the weak little hand and how its touch could heal my darling's heart and raised hope within her, I felt a new sense of the goodness and the tenderness of God.

Full seven happy years I have been the mistress of Bleak House. My last few words are soon penned; then I and the unknown friend to whom I write will part for ever.
They gave my darling into my arms, and through many weeks I never left her. The little child who was to have done so much was born before the turf was planted on its father's grave. It was a boy; and we called him Richard.
The help that my dear counted on did come to her, though it came, in the eternal wisdom, for another purpose. To bless and restore his mother, not his father, was the errand of this baby, and its power was mighty. When I saw how the weak little hand could heal my darling's heart and raise hope within her, I felt a new sense of the tenderness of God.
