'
'"Later in the day I warned my lord, as gently as I could,
that his time had come. I am informed that there are serious reasons
for my stating what passed between us on this occasion, in detail,
and without any reserve. I comply with the request.
'"Lord Montbarry received the intelligence of his approaching death
with becoming composure, but with a certain doubt. He signed to me
to put my ear to his mouth. He whispered faintly, 'Are you sure?'
It was no time to deceive him; I said, 'Positively sure.'
He waited a little, gasping for breath, and then he whispered again,
'Feel under my pillow.' I found under his pillow a letter,
sealed and stamped, ready for the post. His next words were just
audible and no more--'Post it yourself.' I answered, of course,
that I would do so--and I did post the letter with my own hand.
I looked at the address. It was directed to a lady in London.
The street I cannot remember. The name I can perfectly recall:
it was an Italian name--'Mrs. Ferrari.'
'"That night my lord nearly died of asphyxia. I got him through it
for the time; and his eyes showed that he understood me when I told him,
the next morning, that I had posted the letter.
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