The window consisting of four narrow lights, was commissioned by Gladstone's children to commemorate the long married life of their parents. After much discussion, the Nativity was chosen as the subject and a design was made in the autumn of 1897. The fear that Gladstone might die before the window was in place is the reason for the speed urged several times in the letters. Morris's death in 1896 had left Burne-Jones entirely responsible, and he made several visits to Merton Abbey to superintend the work (see letter 3). The window was in fact not unveiled until a short time after Gladstone's death on 19th May, 1898, and in reference to the last letter to a window not being set up in time probably relates to this. (Ref. Memorials, II, pp. 317 and 318.