e recovered, to complete in my
favour her half-pronounced blessing. She waved her hand to us both, and
bowed her head six several times, as we have since recollected, as if
distinguishing every person present; not forgetting the nurse and the
maid-servant; the latter having approached the bed, weeping, as if
crowding in for the divine lady's blessing; and she spoke faltering and
inwardly--Bless--bless--bless--you all--and--now--and now--[holding up
her almost lifeless hands for the last time] come--O come--blessed Lord
--JESUS!

And with these words, the last but half-pronounced, expired:--such a
smile, such a charming serenity overspreading her sweet face at the
instant, as seemed to manifest her eternal happiness already begun.

O Lovelace!--But I can write no more!

***

I resume my pen to add a few lines.

While warm, though pulseless, we pressed each her hand with our lips;
and then retired into the next room.

We looked at each other, with intent to speak: but, as if one motion
governed, as one cause affected both, we turned away silent.

The Colonel sighed as if his heart would burst: at last, his face and
hands uplifted, his back towards me, Good Heaven! said he to himself,
support me!--And is it thus, O flower of nature!--Then pausing--And must
we no more--never more!--My blessed, blessed Cousin! uttering some other
words, which his sighs made inarticulate.--And then, as if recollecting
himself--Forgive me, Sir!--Excuse me, Mr. Belford! And sliding by me,
Anon I hope to see you, Sir--And down stairs he went, and out of the
house, leaving me a statue.

When I recovered, I was ready to repine at what I then called an unequal
dispensation; forgetting her happy preparation, and still happier
departure; and that she had but drawn a common lot; triumphing in it, and
leaving behind her every one less assured of happiness, though equally
certain that the lot would one day be their own.

She departed exactly at forty minutes after six o'clock, as by her watch
on the table.

And thus died Miss CLARISSA HARLOWE, in the blossom of her youth and
beauty: and who, her tender years considered, had not left behind her her
superior in extensive knowledge and watchful prudence; nor hardly her
equal for unblemished virtue, exemplary piety, sweetness of manners,
discreet generosity, and true christian charity: and these all set off by
the most graceful modesty and humility; yet on all proper occasions,
manifestin