can be.

Your loving, MOTHER.

[86] Rachel and Bertrand, who stayed for the winter at Pembroke Lodge while
their parents were abroad.

In April Lady Russell lost her sister, Lady Dunfermline, who died in Rome.
In May, Lord and Lady Russell's second son, who was dearly loved for his
generous and noble nature, was seized with dangerous illness. He lived, but
never recovered. In the summer, Lady Amberley and her little daughter
Rachel, who was only six years old, died of diphtheria within a few days of
each other.

There is a touching reference to Lord Russell in a letter, written many
years after his death, from Miss Elliot, daughter of the Dean of Bristol,
to Lady Russell.

One of the very last times I saw him you were out, and he sent word
that he would see me when he knew I was at the door; when he
literally bowed his head and said, "The hand of the Lord has been
very heavy on us--very heavy," and spoke of little Rachel. I never
remember being more touched and awed by the reverence I felt for
him.

_Queen Victoria to Lady Russell_ [87]

WINDSOR CASTLE, _June_ 29, 1874

DEAR LADY RUSSELL,--I cannot remain silent without writing to
express to you my deep and sincere sympathy with you both, and
especially with your poor son on this most sad event, which has
deprived him of his wife, and his little children (whom I saw so
lately) of an affectionate mother, in the very prime of life! I saw
the sad announcement in the papers this morning and could hardly
believe it, never having heard even of her illness. This sad event
will, I know, be a terrible blow to you, and to Lord Russell, and I
know that _you have_ had much sorrow and anxiety lately. Dear
Lady Russell, I have known you both too long not to feel the truest
and deepest interest in all that concerns you and yours--in weal
and woe--and I would not delay a moment in writing to express this
to you. You will, I know, look for support and for comfort where
_alone_ it can be found, and I pray that God may support and
comfort you and your poor bereaved son.

Ever yours affectionately,

V.R.

I should be very grateful if you would let me have any details of
poor Lady Amberley's illness and death.

[87] On several occasions Lord Russell had been prevented by the
state of his health from accepting invitations to Windsor. In
April, 1874, he and Lady R