And in one moment more it was ascertained beyond a doubt that Chief Justice Lyon was dead.
You may imagine what a terrible shock this sudden death gave. How the wedding-party broke up in confusion and dispersed in sadness; how the unavailing skill of the family physician was called in, to do no more than pronounce upon the cause of death—apoplexy; how the funeral was solemnized in his own old ancestral halls; and how his body was laid at last in the family vault at old Lyon Hall.
Drusilla, who had not been permitted to attend the wedding, had been sent for to come to the funeral. She came, sorrowing bitterly over the sudden death of one who had been the kindest old friend to her.
She did not go back again to school. Mrs. Lyon, overwhelmed by the loss of the life-partner with whom she had lived so long, needed constant and affectionate attention, and entreated that her favorite should be left with her.
Under the circumstances of her bereavement Alexander could refuse his mother nothing. So Drusilla remained in attendance upon her benefactress.
The widow, exhausted by grief and unable to travel, staid with the general and his grand-daughter all the winter.
Alexander, engaged in setting his late father’s family affairs in order, preparatory to administering on his estate, went backwards and forwards between Richmond and Old Lyon Hall.
Late in the following spring Mrs. Lyon went to Crowood, taking Drusilla with her.
The first few days at the old country-seat, where she had passed so many tranquil, happy seasons with her lost husband, renewed all her grief.
But Drusilla, guided by a happy instinct, drew her out among her flowers, and fowls, and cows and other pets and hobbies.