ing, where she was
discovered by the maids, sitting with her head reclining against the
balustrades, and endeavouring to staunch a wound in her forehead, which
was bleeding profusely, having struck in a fall against the stone step
of the stair.

"When Mrs. Newcome was found she was speechless, but still sensible, and
medical aid being sent for, she was carried to bed. Mr. Newcome and
Lady Anne both hurried to her apartment, and she knew them, and took the
hands of each, but paralysis had probably ensued in consequence of the
shock of the fall; nor was her voice ever heard, except in inarticulate
moanings, since the hour on the previous evening when she gave them her
blessing and bade them good-night. Thus perished this good and excellent
woman, the truest Christian, the most charitable friend to the poor and
needful, the head of this great house of business, the best and most
affectionate of mothers.

"The contents of her will have long been known to us, and that document
was dated one month after our lamented father's death. Mr. Thomas
Newcome's property being divided equally amongst his three sons, the
property of his second wife naturally devolves upon her own issue, my
brother Brian and myself. There are very heavy legacies to servants and
to charitable and religious institutions, of which, in life, she was the
munificent patroness; and I regret, my dear brother, that no memorial to
you should have been left by my mother, because she often spoke of you
latterly in terms of affection, and on the very day on which she died,
commenced a letter to your little boy, which was left unfinished on the
library table. My brother said that on that same day, at breakfast, she
pointed to a volume of Orme's Hindostan, the book, she said, which set
poor dear Tom wild to go to India, I know you will be pleased to hear of
these proofs of returning goodwill and affection in one who often spoke
latterly of her early regard for you. I have no more time, under the
weight of business which this present affliction entails, than to say
that I am yours, dear brother, very sincerely, H. Newcome."

"Lieutenant-Colonel Newcome, etc."

CHAPTER IV. In which the Author and the Hero resume their Acquaintance

If we are to narrate the youthful history not only of the hero of this
tale, but of the hero's father, we shall never have done with nursery
biography. A gentleman's grandmother may delight in fond recapitulation
of her darling's