Part 45 (1/2)

On Deceadier to coade; and a few days later, in reconnoitring the position, he was again severely wounded His leg had to be amputated and he was disabled from further active service in the war I never saw Arthur Asquith lose his temper or think of himself in my life

I look around to see what child of which friend is left to become the wife of my son Anthony; and I wonder whether she will be as virtuous, loving and good-looking as hters-in-law

We were all wonderfully happy together, but, looking back, I think I was far froood and successful independently of me

In consequence of our unpopularity in Peebles-shi+re, I had no opportunity ofpeople in their homes; and I knew no family except my own The wealth of art and music, the luxury of flowers and colour, the stretches of wild country both in Scotland and high Leicestershi+re, which had made up my life till I married, had not qualified me to understand children reared in different circumstances I would not perhaps have noticed many trifles in my step-family, had I not been so much made of, so overloved, caressed and independent before ardener prunes the roots of a tree before it is transplanted, but no one had ever pruned h like an apricot on a wall from your earliest days, you are over-sensitive to any withdrawal of heat

This had been clearly foreseen by enuinely anxious about the happiness and future of my stepchildren I do not knohich of us had been considered the boldest in our e, my husband or myself; and no doubt step- relationshi+ps should not be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, but reverently, discreetly, and soberly In every one of the letters congratulating

Mr Gladstone wrote:

MAY 5TH, 1894

You have a great and noble work to perforth which is ranted you

Ever yours, W E G

I re to my beloved friend, Con Manners:

”Gladstone thinks my fitness to be Henry's wife should be prayed for like the clergy: 'Alreat marvels'”

John Morley wrote:

95 ELM PARK GARDENS, SOUTH KENSINGTON, SW MARCH 7,1894 MY DEAR MISS MARGOT,

Now that the whirl of congratulations , here are oing to reat store of sterling gifts both of head and heart, and with a life before hihest interest, importance and power Such a ht envy you I daresay you know this withoutyou On the other part, I will not add myself to those impertinents who--as I understand you to report--wish you ”to i of the sort Few qualities are better worth leaving as they are than vivacity, wit, freshness of aiety and pluck Pray keep them all Don't improve by an atom

Circumstances may have a lesson or two to teach you, but 'tis only the dull who don't learn, and I have no fear but that such a pair have happy years in front of the and you have it Be sure that I wish you as unclouded a life as can be the lot of woman, and I hope you will always let me count myself your friend I possess some aphorisms on the married state--but they will keep I only let them out as occasion co back now on the first years of ratitude which I feel for the tolerance, patience and loyalty that h I introduced an enormous amount of fun, beauty and movement into their lives, I could not replace what they had lost

Henry's first wife, Helen Asquith, was an exceptionally pretty, refined wooodness; she was a wonderful wife and a devoted mother, but ithout illusions and even less adventurous than her children She told retted that her husband had taken silk and was in the House of Colow of surprise:

”But surely, Mrs Asquith, you are ambitious for your husband!

Why, he's a WONDERFUL man!”

This conversation took place in Grosvenor Square the second tiirl to see ed four and a self-possessed, plu in Victorian ringlets down her back

The children were not like Helen Asquith in appearance, except Raymond, who had her beautiful eyes and brow; but, just as they had none of their father's emotion and some of his intellect, they all inherited their mother's temperament, with the exception of Violet, as more susceptible to the new environreatest compliment that was ever paid to my appearance--and one that helped ed in my early married life--hat Helen Asquith said toa little noble about Margot Tennant's expression”

If my stepchildren were patient with me, I dare not say what their father was: there are soht to claim; and I shall only write of my husband's character--his loyalty, lack of vanity, freedom from self, warmth and width of sympathy--in connection with politics and not with ive one illustration of his nature