The faithful and persevering attachment of Sowerby, in taking upon himself the charge of every mournful office for his departed friend, deprived the unhappy survivors, at the moment, of the support his presence might have afforded; but perhaps it was compensated by the additional freedom in which they indulged together, in the first transports of a grief which the world could not have understood, and poured forth the expressions of a sorrow, so just and sincere, till by degrees it subsided into that calm melancholy, which rather cherishes than shrinks from the contemplation of the past. Sowerby had attended the remains of his friend to the Rocks, to see the last sad duties paid to them; and to watch over the interests of his family, now that place was no longer to be their abode. All Mr. Melbourne's valuable collections, his books, prints, and manuscripts, were to be sold for the benefit of his widow and daughter; and under the superintendance of a friend so intelligent and attached, they had every reason to expect the business would be transacted for them in the most advantageous manner. On the death of Mr. Melbourne, the estate of the Rocks devolved on Sir Harold Melbourne, the nearest male relation of the family; but on the change this circumstance might make in her situation and prospects, Matilda's grief had not yet allowed her leisure to reflect. Wholly occupied with the greatness of her irreparable loss, there were moments in which her young / heart, unused to sorrow, could hardly believe the extent of that which was now inflicted on her; then would the occurrences of the last weeks appear to her but as a feverish dream, and it seemed impossible that so short a period should have robbed her of so large a portion of her happiness.