The attack was
paralysis, and he never recovered the full powers of mind or body,
though they managed to bring him back to Hillside--as indeed his
restlessness longed for his native home. When once there he became
calmer, but did not rally; and a second stroke proved fatal just
before Easter. He was mourned alike by rich and poor, 'He WAS a
gentleman,' said even Chapman, 'always the same to rich or poor,
though he was one of they Fordys.'
My father wrote to summon both his elder sons to the funeral at
Hillside, and in due time Clarence appeared by the coach, but alone.
He had gone to Griffith's chambers to arrange about coming down
together, but found my father's letter lying unopened on the table,
and learnt that his brother was supposed to be staying at a villa in
Surrey, where there were to be private theatricals. He had
forwarded the letter thither, and it would still be possible to
arrive in time by the night mail.
So entirely was Griff expected that the gig was sent to meet him at
seven o'clock the next morning, but there was no sign of him. My
father and Clarence went without him to the gathering, which showed
how deeply the good old man was respected and loved.
It was the only funeral Clarence had attended except Miss Newton's
hurried one, and his sensitive spirit was greatly affected. He had
learnt reserve when amongst others, but I found that he had a strong
foreboding of evil; he tossed and muttered in his sleep, and
confessed to having had a wretched night of dreams, though he would
not describe them otherwise than that he had seen the lady whose
face he always looked on as a presage of evil.
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