render a task of so tender and pathetic a nature one which became closely linked with her affections. And since the loss she so deeply deplored, having often thought with regret upon the country she had quitted, her health also having suffered by the change, she immediately, when told of Douglas's projected departure from India, felt the strongest desire to accompany him; and to which Colonel Melbourne the more readily consented, having with reluctance yielded to her request of quitting England, willing as he had been to sacrifice the enjoyment of her society rather than that she should submit to the disadvantages attendant upon a residence in a clime usually found so pernicious to the female constitution.
Upon the arrival of Douglas in England, he was infinitely less feeble than when he had at first embarked: but when obliged to leave the house for the benefit of air, he was under the necessity of being supported by crutches.
Mrs. Melbourne, shortly after her disembarkation, left Douglas, to take up her residence with Mrs. Boville, an elder sister by some years, who upon becoming a widow, through the medium of Dr. Lovesworth, settled herself, as we have seen, about thirty miles from his Hermitage. Fondly as was Douglas attached to his child, yet finding that, leading the life of a bachelor, the care of her would be embarrassing to him, he very willingly and gratefully submitted her to her good and kind godmother Mrs. Melbourne; and in the meantime availed himself of his liberty to
