2 WITH KITCHENEE IN' THE SOUDAH

ularly again. Well, I won’t be away longer than I can help. Anyhow I will be back to our mid-day banquet. I will bring

a couple of rashers of bacon in with me. We have potatoes

enough, I think.”

So saying, he kissed his wife tenderly and went out. Gregory Hartley belonged to a good family. He was the

second son of the Hon. James Hartley, brother of the Mar-

quis of Langdale. He had been educated at Harrow and Cambridge, and after leaving the university had gone out

to Egypt with a friend of his father’s, who was an enthusiast

in the exploration of the antiquities of that country. Greg-

ory had originally intended to stay there a few months at

most, but he was infected by the enthusiasm of his compan-

ion, and remained in Egypt for two years, when the professor was taken ill and died, and he returned home.

A year later he fell in love with the governess in a neigh- bouring family; his feeling was reciprocated, and they be- came engaged. His father was furious when his son told him what had taken place.

It is monstrous,” he said, “ after the education that you have had, and the place that I, if I survive him, or, if not, your brother, will take at the death of your uncle, that you should dream of throwing yourself away in this manner. I have looked to your making a good marriage, for, as you know, I am not what may be called a rich man. Your brother’s tastes are expensive, and what with his education and yours, and the allowances I have made you both, it is as much as I have been able to do to keep up our position. And there are your sisters to be provided for. The idea of your falling in love with this young woman is monstrous.” “Young lady, Eather. She is a clergyman’s daughter.” “ I won’t hear of such a thing—I will not hear of it for a moment ; and if you persist in this mad folly, I tell you fairly that from this moment I shall have nothing more to say to you! You have to choose between me and this penniless beggar.”