and I trust she is now with him in Heaven. Although we expected every hour to have her death when I was told of it I felt very unwell for a short time. I heard someone ask at the door while we were sitting at dinner for an egg for Mrs Stokes. I thought poor Mrs Stokes had revived a little and I went out to ask for her. It was a child who had been sent up and she answered me abruptly, she is dead. Although we have been expecting it yet to hear it so suddenly gave me a dreadful shock. I felt as if I could have fainted. I could neither speak or move for a few moments. Papa then came and took me into the house and when I was able to cry I got better. I dread the funeral for poor Papa tomorrow. I do not know how he will be able to bear it. It would be much better for him not to go. It will be so painful to his feelings. Poor Mr Stokes is dreadfully distressed. I did not think he would have felt it so much as there was such a great difference in their ages and there would not have been the love between