d. Yes, Love is best of all. I
have many such benefactions registered in my heart--precious welcome
fountains springing up in desert places, kind, friendly lights cheering
our despondency and gloom.

This worthy divine was willing enough to give as much of his company as
she chose to Madame de Bernstein, whether for cards or theology. Having
known her ladyship for many years now, Sampson could see, and averred
to us, that she was breaking fast; and as he spoke of her evidently
increasing infirmities, and of the probability of their fatal
termination, Mr. S. would discourse to us in a very feeling manner of
the necessity for preparing for a future world; of the vanities of
this, and of the hope that in another there might be happiness for all
repentant sinners.

"I have been a sinner for one," says the chaplain, bowing his head. "God
knoweth, and I pray Him to pardon me. I fear, sir, your aunt, the Lady
Baroness, is not in such a state of mind as will fit her very well
for the change which is imminent. I am but a poor weak wretch, and no
prisoner in Newgate could confess that more humbly and heartily. Once or
twice of late, I have sought to speak on this matter with her ladyship,
but she has received me very roughly. 'Parson,' says she, 'if you come
for cards, 'tis mighty well, but I will thank you to spare me your
sermons.' What can I do, sir? I have called more than once of late, and
Mr. Case hath told me his lady was unable to see me." In fact Madame
Bernstein told my wife, whom she never refused, as I said, that the poor
chaplain's ton was unendurable, and as for his theology, "Haven't I been
a Bishop's wife?" says she, "and do I want this creature to teach me?"

The old lady was as impatient of doctors as of divines; pretending that
my wife was ailing, and that it was more convenient for our good Doctor
Heberden to visit her in Clarges Street than to travel all the way to
our Lambeth lodgings, we got Dr. H. to see Theo at our aunt's house, and
prayed him if possible to offer his advice to the Baroness: we made Mrs.
Brett, her woman, describe her ailments, and the doctor confirmed our
opinion that they were most serious, and might speedily end. She would
rally briskly enough of some evenings, and entertain a little company;
but of late she scarcely went abroad at all. A somnolence, which we had
remarked in her, was attributable in part to opiates which she was in
the habit of taking; and she used these narcotics to