but all so changed. But God was good, and the grace
sufficient for the day was given. "_Huntly Lodge, 31st August_,
1837.--The Lord has been better to me than all my fears. Wagstaff (the
duke's factor), accompanied by both Mr. Bigsby (of the English Chapel at
Gordon Castle) and Mr. Dewar (minister of Fochabers), received me. My
heart was so full of the Lord's goodness, that there was no room for
bitterness; and after a few moments alone, I could not rest till we had
thanked our tender Father; Mr. Bigsby was the organ of our thanksgiving.
The three gentlemen, Annie (Sinclair), and I joined in prayer then, and
at night with all the people of house, stable, and farm; this morning
Mr. Dewar's prayer was very much what I needed. My blessed Lord Jesus is
very present, and I know I cannot come to my Father without Him. Oh,
pray that I may be more and more awakened, and never fall asleep again.
Oh, for the quickening grace of the Holy Spirit to realise continually
that blessed presence! 4th _Sept_.--My heart is full of thankfulness and
wonder as to myself. I dreaded above all things the bitterness of
desolation on my return here; and behold the Lord made His presence so
manifest that I am now, as in times past, rejoicing in His
unmerited love."

VI.

WIDOWHOOD AT HUNTLY LODGE.

The arrangements at Huntly Lodge were now, of course, entirely in the
hands of the widowed duchess. Essentially the motto which was the
principle of the establishment was, "As for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord." It was a matter of some doubt with her whether she
should keep up the style natural to her rank, or let the Lodge and
retire into a humbler life. After carefully and prayerfully weighing the
matter, her decision was that "position is stewardship," and that it was
her duty not to despise the high estate to which God had been pleased to
call her, but to consecrate it to His service. This determination was a
wise one. Her light was placed so that many could see its steady and
bright burning.

The whole house was ruled in strict order, marked quietness and
simplicity prevailing. We are told that everything throughout the day
was conducted with the exactness of clockwork. The duchess rose soon
after six o'clock. The family met at breakfast at nine. Exactly at
half-past nine, as we have seen, both morning and evening, the house
assembled for family prayers. After breakfast one of the first
occupations of the duchess was to visit he