Language so consolatory was not without its due effect. Mrs. Philimore then entered, to whom the sight of one who had been so much beloved by her son revived impressions deeply affecting. Oriana was strained to her bosom, and they mingled their tears together.
The sorrow of Oriana for the irrecoverable loss of Philimore, by the hand of Death, was infinitely assuaged and softened by preceding circumstances; and when she compared what she then felt, to what she had formerly done, when she first awoke to the sudden frightful impression of having for ever lost his affections, how great seemed the difference! Then, truly inconsolable, nought was presented amidst the desolation of her feelings that could offer relief.
Mrs. Philimore possessed a mind so truly resigned, patient, and submissive to the decrees of Providence, that in effect she needed not any great exertions of self control to enable her to endure her loss with fortitude. Having subdued the tears naturally excited by seeing Oriana, the conversation she held with her, in which the whole singular strength of her mind was displayed, in addition to the Doctor's late discourse, acted powerfully upon Oriana, in teaching her a fresh lesson of resignation. Feeling herself equal to a task that one might have supposed to call for the utmost stretch of human courage, she expressed a desire once again to behold her Philimore.
Yielding to a request that was made somewhat in
