She was very cheerful during the journey; and
when she got to Victoria, she said she felt so much better that she
would walk along the platform to the cab. Mrs. Fitzgerald got out
first; but on turning round to help her sister, she found that she
had fainted. The doctor administered restoratives; and when she had
recovered a little, she was carried to a cab, and driven to her house
in Baker Street.
Towards the evening she seemed better, and was glad to be back in her
familiar surroundings again. She kept saying to her sister, "Thank God,
I am at home again!" She had a haunting fear latterly at Eastbourne
that she would not have the strength to come home. By this time it was
of course known that she could not possibly recover, and the end would
only be a question of a little time. But that evening no one thought
that death was imminent. During the night, however, she grew worse.
The next morning (Passion Sunday, March 22) her sister saw a great change
in her. She asked her what she wished, and Lady Burton answered, "It
depends on whether I receive the Last Sacraments." The priest was
summoned at once, and administered Extreme Unction and the Holy Viaticum.
She followed all the prayers, and was conscious to the last. When all
was over, she bowed her head and whispered, "Thank God." A smile of
peace and trusting came over her face, and with a faint sigh she breathed
her last. She had heard the "tinkling of his camel's bell.
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