. Bessie still received sympathy and
assistance, but she lived a very independent life, and relied more and
more upon the services of a confidential maid, who wrote her letters,
made the entries in diary, note-book, and journal, from which we have
taken extracts, and accompanied her wherever she went.

Her entire absorption in the work of the Institution could not fail to
become a source of isolation; and it began to cause anxiety to parents
and friends. They knew her delicacy and the need in which she stood of
constant watchful care, and they followed her with apprehension as she
sailed out into the ocean of labour and endeavour.

Some remonstrances from old and dear friends reached her, and the
faithful Frauelein D. wrote as follows:

Don't you allow that one great interest to absorb all others....
Remember that our very virtues can become snares of sin to us if we
do not watch ourselves, our purest actions may lead us wrong. One
great difficulty we have to deal with, in this our so complex state
of trial, is to keep within us an even balance of things. Do the
one thing, but do not leave the others undone, and above all seek,
in all we do, not our own but the glory of God.... Don't you show a
little want of faith and trust in your own eagerness and
over-anxiety about your Institution, which, though most laudable in
itself, may become a snare to you if it makes you neglect duties
quite as, if not more, sacred?

Bessie preserved this letter, and in her humility she would lay it
deeply to heart; but she knew that the Institution was not a work in
which she sought her own glory. She was labouring for the blind, who
depended upon her, and whom she could not forsake. She had "put her hand
to the plough," and could not draw back.

In a very different tone we find a few words from her father, written
after Miss Law had paid Bessie a visit in Queen Anne Street.

PALACE, CHICHESTER, _28th September 1860_.

MY DEAREST BESSIE--They tell me it will be a doleful parting
between you and poor Miss Law, especially on her side, which I can
well understand, as she has not the resource in active occupation
which you have. Your mistake and suffering may be in taking too
much of it, without allowing yourself, or rather, taking as a part
of duty also, the _delassement_ of passing events, of social
conversation a