It was some weeks before it arrived at Knollingwood Hall, and, by a
singular coincidence, during the interval she received the first
absolutely conclusive tidings of her Edmond's death. It had taken
place years before, in a foreign land, about six months after their
parting, and had been induced by the sufferings he had already
undergone, coupled with much depression of spirit, which had caused
him to succumb to a slight ailment. The news was sent her in a
brief and formal letter from some relative of Willowes's in another
part of England.
Her grief took the form of passionate pity for his misfortunes, and
of reproach to herself for never having been able to conquer her
aversion to his latter image by recollection of what Nature had
originally made him. The sad spectacle that had gone from earth had
never been her Edmond at all to her. O that she could have met him
as he was at first! Thus Barbara thought. It was only a few days
later that a waggon with two horses, containing an immense packing-
case, was seen at breakfast-time both by Barbara and her husband to
drive round to the back of the house, and by-and-by they were
informed that a case labelled 'Sculpture' had arrived for her
ladyship.
'What can that be?' said Lord Uplandtowers.
'It is the statue of poor Edmond, which belongs to me, but has never
been sent till now,' she answered.
'Where are you going to put it?' asked he.
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