She said, her dear friend was so earnest for a line or two, that she fain would write, if she could:  and she tried—­but to no purpose.  She could dictate, however, she believed; and desired Mrs. Lovick would take pen and paper.  Which she did, and then she dictated to her.  I would have withdrawn; but at her desire staid.

She wandered a good deal at first.  She took notice that she did.  And when she got into a little train, not pleasing herself, she apologized to Mrs. Lovick for making her begin again and again; and said, that the third time should go, let it be as it would.

She dictated the farewell part without hesitation; and when she came to blessing and subscription, she took the pen, and dropping on her knees, supported by Mrs. Lovick, wrote the conclusion; but Mrs. Lovick was forced to guide her hand.

You will find the sense surprisingly entire, her weakness considered.

I made the messenger wait while I transcribed it.  I have endeavoured to imitate the subscriptive part; and in the letter made pauses where, to the best of my remembrance, she paused.  In nothing that relates to this admirable lady can I be too minute.

WEDN.  NEAR THREE O’CLOCK.

MY DEAREST MISS HOWE,

You must not be surprised—­nor grieved—­that Mrs. Lovick writes for me.  Although I cannot obey you, and write with my pen, yet my heart writes by her’s—­accept it so—­it is the nearest to obedience I can!

And now, what ought I to say?  What can I say?—­But why should not you know the truth? since soon you must—­very soon.

Know then, and let your tears be those, if of pity, of joyful pity! for I permit you to shed a few, to embalm, as I may say, a fallen blossom—­ know then, that the good doctor, and the pious clergyman, and the worthy apothecary, have just now—­with joint benedictions—­taken their last leave of me; and the former bids me hope—­do, my dearest, let me say hope —­hope for my enlargement before to-morrow sun-set.

Adieu, therefore, my dearest friend!—­Be this your consolation, as it is mine, that in God’s good time we shall meet in a blessed eternity, never more to part!—­Once more, then, adieu!—­and be happy!—­Which a generous nature cannot be, unless—­to its power—­it makes others so too.

God for ever bless you!—­prays, dropt on my bended knees, although supported upon them,

Your obliged, grateful, affectionate,
CL.  Harlowe.

***

When I had transcribed and sealed this letter, by her direction, I gave it to the messenger myself, who told me that Miss Howe waited for nothing but his return to set out for London.

Thy servant is just come; so I will close here.  Thou art a merciless master.  These two fellows are battered to death by thee, to use a female word; and all female words, though we are not sure of their derivation, have very significant meanings.  I believe, in their hearts, they wish the angel in the Heaven that is ready to receive her, and thee at the proper place, that there might be an end of their flurries—­another word of the same gender.