A Moorland Legend. 123 



" DEAR SIR BERTON, 



" I have, according to your instructions, proceeded 

 to this place to inquire into the truth or otherwise of the 

 statement made by the Rev. S. Marks, in reply to your' 

 advertisement offering a reward for information touching a 

 certain missing lady. 



" I am sorry to inform you that there is no room for doubt 

 that the unknown lady who died here, as described by Mr. 

 Marks, was Miss Alice Herbert, your daughter. I enclose 

 a miniature of Mr. Tolly, an old note from him to her, and 

 a portrait of her brother, Mr. Horace Herbert; these formed 

 part of the deceased's effects. I enclose, furthermore, a 

 document, written and signed by Mr. Marks, the incumbent 

 of this parish. I have communicated this intelligence to 

 the Hon. Mr. Herbert. Awaiting further orders, 

 " I am, your obedient servant, 



" H. W. PORSON." 



(Extract from Enclosure.) 



" The deceased lady was found by a carter partly buried 

 in a snowdrift by the wayside on the morning succeeding the 

 great snow-storm of December last. She was insensible 

 when taken to Manor House farm, where every attention was 

 paid to her. As clergyman of the parish, I was sent for on 

 the same day. On arriving at the farm I found that Doctor 

 B. had succeeded in restoring suspended circulation, but 

 the patient suffered much. During two days she rambled 

 in her speech, and no information could be gained from her 

 by which we could communicate with her friends and ascer- 

 tain who she was, or where she came from. On the evening 

 of the second day, Doctor B. informing me that the sufferer 

 was dying, I at once repaired to the farm. It was but too 

 evident that the sands of life were indeed fast falling. The 



