We can have nothing to do with her executor, (another strange step of the dear creature’s!)—­He cannot expect we will—­nor, if he be a gentleman, will he think of acting.  Do you, therefore, be pleased, Sir, to order an undertaker to convey the body down to us.  My mother says she shall be for ever unhappy, if she may not in death see the dear creature whom she could not see in life.  Be so kind, therefore, as to direct the lid to be only half-screwed down—­that (if my poor mother cannot be prevailed upon to dispense with so shocking a spectacle) she may be obliged—­she was the darling of her heart!

If we know her well in relation to the funeral, it shall be punctually complied with; as shall every thing in it that is fit or reasonable to be performed; and this without the intervention of strangers.

Will you not, dear Sir, favour us with your presence at this melancholy time?  Pray do—­and pity and excuse, with the generosity which is natural to the brave and the wise, what passed at our last meeting.  Every one’s respects attend you.  And I am, Sir,

Your inexpressibly afflicted cousin and servant,
Ja.  Harlowe, Jun.

Every thing that’s fit or reasonable to be performed! [repeated I to the Colonel from the above letter on his reading it to me;] that is every thing which she has directed, that can be performed.  I hope, Colonel, that I shall have no contention with them.  I wish no more for their acquaintance than they do for mine.  But you, Sir, must be the mediator between them and me; for I shall insist upon a literal performance in every article.

The Colonel was so kind as to declare that he would support me in my resolution.

LETTER XXI

Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. 
Sunday Morn.  Eight o’clock, Sept. 10.

I staid at Smith’s till I saw the last 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.