Volume IX Part 7 (2/2)
The answer which James Harlowe returned to Colonel Morden's letter of notification of his sister's death, and to her request as to her interment, will give a faint idea of what their concern must be. Here follows a copy of it:
TO WILLIAM MORDEN, ESQ.
SAt.u.r.dAY, SEPT. 9.
DEAR COUSIN,
I cannot find words to express what we all suffer on the most mournful news that ever was communicated to us.
My sister Arabella (but, alas! I have now no other sister) was preparing to follow Mrs. Norton up, and I had resolved to escort her, and to have looked in upon the dear creature.
G.o.d be merciful to us all! To what purpose did the doctor write, if she was so near her end?--Why, as every body says, did he not send sooner?-- Or, Why at all?
The most admirable young creature that ever swerved! Not one friend to be with her!--Alas! Sir, I fear my mother will never get over this shock.
--She has been in hourly fits ever since she received the fatal news. My poor father has the gout thrown into his stomach; and Heaven knows--O Cousin!--O Sir!--I meant nothing but the honour of the family; yet have I all the weight thrown upon me--[O this cursed Lovelace!--may I perish if he escape the deserved vengeance!]*
* The words thus enclosed [] were omitted in the transcript to Mr.
Lovelace.
We had begun to please ourselves that we should soon see her here--Good Heaven! that her next entrance into this house, after she abandoned us so precipitately, should be in a coffin.
We can have nothing to do with her executor, (another strange step of the dear creature's!)--He cannot expect we will--nor, if he be a gentleman, will he think of acting. Do you, therefore, be pleased, Sir, to order an undertaker to convey the body down to us. My mother says she shall be for ever unhappy, if she may not in death see the dear creature whom she could not see in life. Be so kind, therefore, as to direct the lid to be only half-screwed down--that (if my poor mother cannot be prevailed upon to dispense with so shocking a spectacle) she may be obliged--she was the darling of her heart!
If we know her well in relation to the funeral, it shall be punctually complied with; as shall every thing in it that is fit or reasonable to be performed; and this without the intervention of strangers.
Will you not, dear Sir, favour us with your presence at this melancholy time? Pray do--and pity and excuse, with the generosity which is natural to the brave and the wise, what pa.s.sed at our last meeting. Every one's respects attend you. And I am, Sir,
Your inexpressibly afflicted cousin and servant, JA. HARLOWE, JUN.
Every thing that's fit or reasonable to be performed! [repeated I to the Colonel from the above letter on his reading it to me;] that is every thing which she has directed, that can be performed. I hope, Colonel, that I shall have no contention with them. I wish no more for their acquaintance than they do for mine. But you, Sir, must be the mediator between them and me; for I shall insist upon a literal performance in every article.
The Colonel was so kind as to declare that he would support me in my resolution.
LETTER XXI
MR. BELFORD, TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.
SUNDAY MORN. EIGHT O'CLOCK, SEPT. 10.
I staid at Smith's till I saw the last of all that is mortal of the divine lady.
As she has directed rings by her will to several persons, with her hair to be set in crystal, the afflicted Mrs. Norton cut off, before the coffin was closed four charming ringlets; one of which the Colonel took for a locket, which, he says, he will cause to be made, and wear next his heart in memory of his beloved cousin.
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