girdle bound.' Then her husband places her in Southwick Street, near Oxford Square, London, in the trust either that the progress of the disease may be checked, or that the end may by gentle care be long delayed, even if recovery be never attained — hoping perhaps against hope, as men are wont to be sanguine regarding those who are nearest to them. After that he betakes himself to the Court of Directors and throws his case on their clemency, in reference to the distressful necessity under which he has been labouring. They decide that he shall be relieved from the forfeiture to which the breaking of his leave had rendered him liable, and that he shall be restored to their service. But he must return to India immediately.
His wife on parting entrusts to him two of her unmarried sisters, whom he takes with him to join their relations in India; while the remaining sister stays in charge of her[1]. By this time the overland route through Egypt has been established.
On his departure, she and her sister remained in Southwick Street. As the autumn advanced, and winter approached, her chest complaint became aggravated. The anguish alleviated, she was able to speak much, and then was seen the power of Religion in the supreme moment. She would remember what the poor have to bear in similar trials, and would contrast her own comforts and luxuries, as she called them,
- ↑ Isabella Grant, who married her cousin and is still surviving as Mrs. Grant of Wester Tambreck, Strathspey. From her is derived this part of the narrative.
