And it has fallen on you, my best and dearest friend. But
you have such consolations. He was a religious man, and died with the
Sacraments, and you are sure of a happy meeting, just as if he had gone
on a journey to wait for you; but _more surely to meet_ than if he had
gone on an earthly journey. You have your dear children to live for,
and that must now be your _only_ thought, and taking care of your health
for that purpose. All of us, who love you, are thinking of you and
praying for you."
Ten days later the trial she so much dreaded had come upon her. And
here for a space Lady Burton will speak in her own words.
NOTES:
1. He actually compiled a book of quotations from the Bible and
Shakspeare for use in case of need, which he called _The Black Book_.
2. Letter to Miss Bishop from Tangiers, Morocco, February 16, 1886.
3. The late Lord Gerard.
4. Letter to Miss Bird from Trieste, April 10, 1887.
5. The Duchess of Fife.
6. Letter to Miss Bishop, July 21, 1890.
CHAPTER XXVII. THE SWORD FALLS. 1890.
Life is a sheet of paper white,
Whereon each one of us may write
His word or two, and then comes night.
LOWELL.
"Let me recall the last happy day of my life. It was Sunday, October
19, 1890. I went out to Communion and Mass at eight o'clock, came back,
and kissed my husband at his writing. He was engaged on the last page
of _The Scented Garden_, which had occupied him seriously only six
actual months, not thirty years, as the press said.
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