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22 January 1892 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Friday. 22nd [January 1892]. I was rather tired this morning & breakfasted in bed– A note came from Isabel to say Mrs Burr was a great deal worse & begging me to come. I jumped out of bed dressed & set out in half an hour. I found them all in consternation– Mr Hodgson was sitting in the reading room in readiness. The sister told me she had no hope– Mr Hodgson & I were talking over what should be done about telling dear Mrs Burr that she was so ill & I had almost settled to go myself to her to ask her to see him when Miss Sharp burst into the room saying “we have asked her, & she says no she would rather not see Mr Hodgson till Sunday—as she feels too ill.” Upon this Mr Hodgson left & I returned to the sick room. Isabel told her I was there—& she said—“Dont come here dear Enid—please go away—this is a hot bed of infection & if I want you I will not scruple to send for you.” Her voice was strong but her breathing very laboured & the lungs were evidently choking her for she could not cough. It was terrible to hear. She seemed to grow a little easier so at 12 o’cl I went home & had just taken off my hat was telling Ola about it when the door opened & in rushed Miss Sharp saying “Come quick Isabel wants you– She is dying—her hands are black.” Isabel had been out a few steps with Ola & on her return found Mrs Burr much worse. I at once flew down to Miss Sharp’s gondola & in 10 minutes we were there. I found Mr Hodgson had been fetched & had read the prayers for the dying—at first dear Mrs Burr had looked surprised—but at the end of the prayer she joined her hands & said “Amen”—the Dr was sent for also. As Mrs Burr had got a little better and the medicines revived her I went home to lunch & then back to the Pension Suisse at 3. She was still sensible & when Isabel asked her if she wished to take the sacrament she said “Not today, I am too ill I will wait till tomorrow”—a time wh never came for her on earth. Dr Cini came and ordered more remedies—but the nun said they took no effect & we felt that the end was near– Mr Hodgson came again & went in & said a prayer over her—& Isabel flung herself sobbing on her knees– I felt too frozen to cry but stood by Isabel & held her hand. Presently the hard breathing which resounded thro’ the room & our hearts—almost ceased, there was a terrible silence. Isabel sprang up & rushed thro’ the potiere which divided the room—& there lay dear Mrs Burr as tho’ peacefully asleep– Isabel said—“did she speak” the nun answered “E spirata”—& it was so– Our dear kind gentle friend had passed from us & was at peace. I led Isabel sobbing from the room into her own room– The maid Bertha, the nun, Mr Fenile & Miss Sharp promised to see all done that should be—& I took Isabel home with me as soon as she was a little calmer & laid her on the sofa in my room—till her room was ready for her—& then Ola put her to bed. After that I broke down & was relieved by crying. Ida Belmondo came to tea & sat with me for a while. Ola dined upstairs with Isabel & did not leave her & was up with her several times in the night. I went to bed as usual—but had little sleep– Ida Belmondo & her husband & Mr Malcolm dined with us. | |
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