t of all that is mortal of the
divine lady.

As she has directed rings by her will to several persons, with her hair
to be set in crystal, the afflicted Mrs. Norton cut off, before the
coffin was closed four charming ringlets; one of which the Colonel took
for a locket, which, he says, he will cause to be made, and wear next his
heart in memory of his beloved cousin.

Between four and five in the morning, the corpse was put into the hearse;
the coffin before being filled, as intended, with flowers and aromatic
herbs, and proper care taken to prevent the corpse suffering (to the eye)
from the jolting of the hearse.

Poor Mrs. Norton is extremely ill. I gave particular directions to Mrs.
Smith's maid (whom I have ordered to attend the good woman in a mourning
chariot) to take care of her. The Colonel, who rides with his servants
within view of the hearse, says that he will see my orders in relation to
her enforced.

When the hearse moved off, and was out of sight, I locked up the lady's
chamber, into which all that had belonged to her was removed.

I expect to hear from the Colonel as soon as he is got down, by a servant
of his own.

LETTER XXII

MR. MOWBRAY, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
UXBRIDGE, SUNDAY MORN. NINE O'CLOCK.

DEAR JACK,

I send you enclosed a letter from Mr. Lovelace; which, though written in
the cursed Algebra, I know to be such a one as will show what a queer way
he is in; for he read it to us with the air of a tragedian. You will see
by it what the mad fellow had intended to do, if we had not all of us
interposed. He was actually setting out with a surgeon of this place, to
have the lady opened and embalmed.--Rot me if it be not my full
persuasion that, if he had, her heart would have been found to be either
iron or marble.

We have got Lord M. to him. His Lordship is also much afflicted at the
lady's death. His sisters and nieces, he says, will be ready to break
their hearts. What a rout's here about a woman! For after all she was
no more.

We have taken a pailful of black bull's blood from him; and this has
lowered him a little. But he threatens Col. Morden, he threatens you for
your cursed reflections, [cursed reflections indeed, Jack!] and curses
all the world and himself still.

Last night his mourning (which is full as deep as for a wife) was brought
home, and his fellows' mourning too. And, though eight o'clock, he would
put it on, and make them attend him in theirs.