818 WITH KITCHENEE IN THE SOUDAH anything to ask of them, hut as a relative of whom they need not feel in any way ashamed. Ifeel that my end is very near, Gregory. 1 hope to say all that 1 have to say to you before it comes, but I may not have an opportunity, and in that case some time may elapse before you read this, and it will come to you as a voice from the grave. I am not in any way wishing to bind you to any course of action, but only to explain fully your position to you and to tell you my thoughts. Ood bless you, my dear boy, prosper and keep youl I know enough of you to be sure that, whatever your course may be, you will bear yourself as a true gentleman, worthy of your father and of the name you bear.

Your loving Mother.

Gregory sat for some time before opening the other enclosure. It contained an open envelope, on which was written “To my Wife,” and three others, also unfastened, addressed respectively, “ The Hon. James Hartley, King’s Lawn, Tavistock, Devon ” ; the second, “ G. Hilliard Hartley, Esq., The Albany, Piccadilly, London the third, “ Miss Hartley,” the address being the same as that of her father. He first opened the one to his mother.

My dearest Wife, I hope that you will never read these lines, but that I shall return to you safe and sound—I am writing this in case it should be otherwise—and that you will never have occasion to read these instructions, or rather I should say this advice, for it is no more than that. We did talk the matter over, hut you were so wholly averse from any idea of ever appealing to my father or family, however sore the straits to which you might be reduced, that I could not urge the matter upon you ; and yet, although I sympathize most thoroughly with your feelings, I think that in case of dire necessity you should do so, and at least afford my father the opportunity of making up for his treatment of myself. The small sum that I left in your hands must soon be exhausted. If I am killed you will