Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/304

 doubt that Professor Girard fully deserves such a reputation.

He came and had a long consultation with the 3 doctors and Sir Benjamin Franklin and quite convinced them that the gastric attack was merely an incident, and that the real trouble was a cerebral one caused by an aneurism, and that there was scarcely any hope after taking into consideration your poor husband's age and the fact that he had suffered from a stroke before; and he advised that the most humane thing to do was to leave him quietly in his bed in the hope that nature would come to his assistance; in this Sir Benjamin and I quite agreed. He was quite unconscious and suffering no pain and he has remained so ever since. Last night his temperature went up suddenly to 106 and we feared the worst; this morning at 9 a.m. Dr Girard came again with the other doctors, and I am grieved to say that they all pronounced that the case was hopeless, and I fear I shall have to send you a final telegram within less than twenty-four hours. I can assure you that everything possible has been done for him, and Sir Benjamin Franklin has been a tower of strength, and I really don't know what I could have done without his help. Of course I will remain until the end and you can rely upon my acting as I should do in the case of any near relation of my own. I will come to see you on my return home and I will bring back all his papers and belongings. Sir Henniker was much beloved by all his Carlsbad friends and his illness is a great shock to many of them who have accompanied him from Carlsbad. I am very very sorry for you and his family.

The telegrams sent by Lord Westbury announcing the end did not reach Lady Henniker Heaton for some