THE END 231 



and he had not sufficient vitality to resist its 

 effects. 



On the morning of the 17th a fatal attack 

 of syncope set in, and about four o'clock in the 

 afternoon he passed into the life whose law is 

 progression in all knowledge, and where faithful 

 service finds its choicest reward in widened pos- 

 sibilities. It is not possible, nor is it needful, 

 to describe the dark shadow that the news of 

 his loss threw over the place and neighbour- 

 hood. The radiance of summer beauty lay over 

 the grey old house and the brightly coloured 

 flowers, and the sun sparkled on the slow-moving 

 river, as in happier seasons. Yet it seemed to 

 sorrowing hearts as though the light itself were 

 dimmed, and the passing shadows deepened. 

 Deep regret and sympathy were felt throughout 

 the country when the news became known. 

 Neighbours near and far had either visited, 

 or knew by report, the old country house on the 

 Nene, and the unique personality and surround- 

 ings of its owner had excited an interest even 

 in those who had no personal knowledge of him. 



' You would hardly believe how the sad news 

 has affected all classes,' wrote the Eev. F. M. 



