The Argosy — page 280: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Mrs. Henry Wood. 259 world ; my mother’s to a great extent in the retirement of her study. Her health never permitted of anything else; and even after a quiet but animated evening with friends, she would sometimes suffer from a fit of nervous exhaustion, which would feel to her almost like death itself. This calmness and serenity came from within. It seemed as if her whole life, with all its cares, responsibilities and joys, was taken to a higher Power and Refuge than any on earth, and there reposed in the security of perfect faith. This was, indeed, the case. She never spoke of these matters, but she was the living, breathing embodiment of the verse: ‘‘‘Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.” The head was well set upon the shoulders : a head perfect in form, small, except where the intellectual faculties were developed. Her complexion was dazzling, the most lovely bloom at all times contrasting with the brilliant whiteness of her skin. In hours of animation I have watched the delicate flush come and go a hun- dred times in as many minutes across her wonderful countenance ; and, to record the simile once used by a friend in speaking to me of this peculiar beauty, ‘‘ chasing each other like the rosy clouds of sun- rise sweeping across a summer sky.” She had a very keen sense of wit and humour. This strange beauty remained with her to the end! Even in hours of illness and suffering it never forsook her. Her face never lost its look of youth. It was absolutely without line or wrinkle or any mark or sign of age. She kept to the last the complexion and freshness of a young girl: that strange radiancy which seemed the reflection of some unseen glory. This was so great that to the last we were unable to realise that death could come to her. I fear this may sound very like exaggeration, but many living friends will bear witness that it only falls short of the facts. I have said that these simple records would have come more appropriately from some other hand than mine; but as mine is the task, I can only do it to the best of my ability, and with absolute truth. I cannot do less than justice to her who for so many years was unto us as a fortress firm and sure ; whose wisdom was unfailing ; whose love was boundless ; who would never at any moment have hesitated to lay down her life for those she loved, had the trial been demanded of her ; whose loss is as the withdrawing of the sun from our sky, the life and beauty of all that was to us most sacred and most dear. The description lately given of her by an unknown writer, who yet must have met her, is as true as anything that could be written of her: ‘‘ You can almost see the spirit itself of Mrs. Henry Wood shining through the frail, I had almost said diaphanous, body and exquisite face; and the sight only rivets and charms one more and more; for she possesses a sparkling intellect and a heart of gold.” COMMICOOOKS.c©