Never did medal nor order
repose on a nobler heart. The case was so strong, and so well supported,
that the society did not hesitate: and you will receive it very soon
after this.
"'You will be surprised, dear madam, at all this from a stranger to
yourself, and will perhaps set it down to a wish to intrude on your
acquaintance. Well, then, dear madam, you will not be far wrong. I
_should_ like much to know one, whose character I already seem acquainted
with; and to convey personally my gratitude and admiration of your
husband: I could pour it out more freely to you, you know, than to
him.--I am, dear Madam, Yours very faithfully,
'LOUISA BERESFORD.'
"And the medal came about an hour before the fly to take him away. His
dear name was on it and his brave courageous acts.
"Oh, shall I ever be old enough and hard enough to speak of this without
stopping to cry?
"We fastened it round his dear neck with a ribbon. Mamma would put it
inside his clothes for fear the silver should tempt some wretch; I should
never have thought of that: is there a creature so base? And we told the
men how he had gained it (they were servants of the asylum), and we
showed them how brave and good he was, and would be again if they would
be kind to him and cure him.
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