A few days previous to this event, she gave into her, husband's hands a sealed packet, with a charge not to open it till after her death, which, she said, she could not deceive herself in believing would be long deferred; but if it should, she requested it might be returned to her in the state it then was.

CHAP. III.

For my distracted mind
What succour can I find?
On whom for consolation shall I call?
Support me, every friend

Your kind assistance lend,

To bear the weight of this oppressive woe.
Alas! each friend of mine,

My dear departed love, so much was thing That none has any comfort to beatow.

LYTTLETON.

THE death of Lady Adelina Stanley, though not sudden, was a severe blow to her husband: he had permitted himself to be deluded by the flattering voice of hope, that when she became a mother, her health would be restored: he had then sketched for himself a plan of happiness which, if it could have been realised, would have left him nothing to wish for in this world. Though he had

uniformly treated her with the tenderness which gratitude and esteem for her amiable qualities demanded, yet he accused himself of not having loved her with that entire affection she merited, and which he then felt towards her. He longed ardently for her recovery, that he might, by his encreased kindness and attention, convince her she possessed his heart wholly and undivided: that it was not anxiety alone for her illness which dictated his present solicitude for her, in common with all the rest of her friends, but that it was love, pure, unsophisticated love, which her virtues had inspired.

But this tribute to her worth he was not allowed to pay; her permanent happiness was destined to flow from a source not subject (like the weak resolves of erring man) to change.

When able to withdraw his mind from the soul-harrowing remembrance of the last expiring moments of his wife,

and the still more agonising sight of her pale, cold form, stiffened by the hand of death-death all powerful, which can even subdue love, and render that heart insensible to the grief of the object dearest to it in life; when able to do that, he thought of the packet given him with such solemnity a short time before her decease.

On opening it, he found it contained her will, wherein she bequeathed him the whole of her property, which was at her own disposal, and a letter, which he eagerly tore open, and read as follows:

My Beloved Husband,

"When you open this, I shall have ceased to exist in this world; but I

trust the purity of my affection for you will have entitled me to the privilege of still watching over your welfare.

"I behold my approaching dissolution without regret, and feel a humble con

fidence that I shall be made a partaker of everlasting happiness. If my life was to be prolonged, I think it would be embittered by many griefs; the greatest I have ever anticipated till I knew you, was the loss of my dear parents; but since I have been blessed with the endearing name of wife, I have looked to that time which should separate us as the most afflicting event that could befal me: and I have earnestly prayed that I might be the first taken: my prayers have been heard somewhat early; but I am resigned, as I think it will be the means of procuring you a Jarger portion of happiness, than if I had been permitted to remain with you some years longer.

My portion in this life has been all happiness, therefore I must not murmur that it has not a longer date; but rather rejoice that I am taken away before I have known sorrow.