I passed the time with our Lord and my darling, who had
many masses said for him in London and all over England that night. I
am better and have stronger nerves, and am perhaps more peaceful."[1]
In January, 1892, Lady Burton went down to her cottage at Mortlake, which
she called "Our Cottage." In taking this house she had followed the plan
which her husband when living had always adopted, of having a retreat a
little way from their work, where they could go occasionally for rest and
change. They had intended to follow this plan when they settled down in
London. Another motive drew Lady Burton to Mortlake too: this cottage
was close to the mausoleum of her husband, and she could visit it when
she chose. It was a tiny cottage, plainly but prettily furnished. Most
of her relics and curios were housed at Baker Street, and this place
had few associations for her beyond those which connected it with her
husband's grave. The cottage was covered with creepers outside, and
trees grew all round it. She had a charming little garden at the back,
in which she took a good deal of pride; and when the summer came she had
a big tent erected in the garden, and would sit there for many hours
together, doing her work and frequently taking her meals out there.
She had always lived an outdoor life, and this tent recalled to her
the days in the East. Here, too, she received a great many friends
who found their way down to Mortlake; she was fond of asking them to
come and take tea with her in her tent.
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