t might
disturb that happy calm, which she had been endeavouring to obtain for
it. And when that solemn office was over, she was so composed, she said,
that she thought she could receive any news, however affecting, with
tranquillity.

Nevertheless, in reading it, she was forced to leave off several times
through weakness and a dimness in her sight, of which she complained; if
I may say complained; for so easy and soft were her complaints, that they
could hardly be called such.

She was very much affected at divers parts of this letter. She wept
several times, and sighed often. Mrs. Lovick told me, that these were
the gentle exclamations she broke out into, as she read:--Her unkind, her
cruel brother!--How unsisterly!--Poor dear woman! seeming to speak of
Mrs. Norton. Her kind cousin!--O these flaming spirits! And then
reflecting upon herself more than once--What a deep error is mine!--What
evils have I been the occasion of!--

When I was admitted to her presence, I have received, said she, a long
and not very pleasing letter from my dear Mrs. Norton. It will soon be
in your hands. I am advised against appointing you to the office you
have so kindly accepted of: but you must resent nothing of these things.
My choice will have an odd appearance to them: but it is now too late to
alter it, if I would.

I would fain write an answer to it, continued she: but I have no distinct
sight, Mr. Belford, no steadiness of fingers.--This mistiness, however,
will perhaps be gone by-and-by.--Then turning to Mrs. Lovick, I don't
think I am dying yet--not actually dying, Mrs. Lovick--for I have no
bodily pain--no numbnesses; no signs of immediate death, I think.--And my
breath, which used of late to be so short, is now tolerable--my head
clear, my intellects free--I think I cannot be dying yet--I shall have
agonies, I doubt--life will not give up so blessedly easy, I fear--yet
how merciful is the Almighty, to give his poor creature such a sweet
serenity!--'Tis what I have prayed for!--What encouragement, Mrs. Lovick,
so near one's dissolution, to have it to hope that one's prayers are
answered.

Mrs. Smith, as well as Mrs. Lovick, was with her. They were both in
tears; nor had I, any more than they, power to say a word in answer: yet
she spoke all this, as well as what follows, with a surprising composure
of mind and countenance.

But, Mr. Belford, said she, assuming a still sprightlier air and accent,
let me talk a littl