humbled  and  despoiled  of  his  fkir  provinces,  and  that  the  political
horizon  of  their  already  increasing  possessions  was  once  more
clear.  But  there  were  two  families  among  the  many  who
mourned  for  those  who  had  met  a  soldier's  death,  which,  though
the  bereavement  was  not  a  present  one,  yet  felt  it  as  acutely  as  if
it  had  been  recent ;  nay  more  so,  since  their  hopes  had  been  so
long  excited  They  knew  not  that  Amy  had  ever  thought  there
was  hope  of  Herbert's  life  j  but  long  ere  letters  came,  when  it
was  known  that  the  army  was  in  Mysore,  they  saw  her  look  for
every  succeeding  dispatch  with  more  and  more  impatience,  and  a
feverish  anxiety  she  could  not  conceal.  And  when  the  end
came,  they  knew,  from  her  agonised  burst  of  bitter  grief,  that  she
too  had  lingered  in  hope  even  as  they  had.
But  Amy's  Was  a  strong  mind,  and  one  which  her  affliction,
though  deep  and  heavy  to  bear,  had  never  driven  into  repining.
She  looked  with  earnest  hope  to  the  future  J  and  in  reliance  on
the  Divine  power  and  wisdom,  which  she  had  early  practised,
and  which  never  failed  her  in  her  need,  she  drew  from  that  pure
source  consolation,  which  those  who  loved  her  most  dearly  could
not  impart ;  she  had  lived  on  a  life  of  meek  and  cheerful  piety,
almost  adored  by  the  neighbourhood,  and  in  sweet  intercourse
with  those  around  her,  whose  constant  care  for  her  was  amply
repaid  by  her  devoted  affection.
