INTRODUCTION Xlll 



Lord Lilford was a remarkable example of 

 the refining and ennobling power of suffering on 

 a noble nature. Strong in the possession of a 

 simple faith he faced his misfortunes with quiet 

 heroism, so that they only served to discipline his 

 character into greater strength and more abundant 

 sweetness. They revealed to him the abiding 

 possibilities of life, and on these he fastened his 

 attention. He moved habitually in a region 

 where pettiness and commonplace could not 

 exist, and all he did and said was marked by 

 considerate graciousness. I remember one day 

 walking with Lady Lilford by the side of his 

 chair in the garden. In passing through a gate 

 the servant who was pushing his chair steered 

 badly, with the result that Lord Lilford's arm 

 came against the gatepost. Lady Lilford uttered 

 a cry of alarm ; I looked at Lord Lilford's face 

 which was twitching with pain ; but he said, ' It 

 is nothing, dear ; I am not hurt ; do not scold 

 him.' It was a trivial instance of the highest 

 qualities which can distinguish a man. Pain 



