A MOMENTOUS COMMUNICATION 321 Until I did so I dropped our surname. I did not wish that it should he known that one of our family was working in an almost menial position in Egypt. I have now obtained the post of interpreter on the staff of General Hicks, and if he is successful in crushing the rebellion I shall be certain of good permanent employment, when 1 can resume my name. The fact that you receive this letter will be a proof that I have fallen in battle, or by disease. 1 now, as a dying prayer, beg you to receive my wife and boy, or if that cannot be, to grant her some small annuity to assist her in her struggle with the world.

Except for her sake 1 do not regret my marriage. She has borne the hardships through which we have passed nobly and without a murmur. She has been the best of wives to me, and has proved herself a noble woman in every respect. I leave the matter in your hands, Father, feeling assured that from your sense ofjustice alone, if not for the affection you once bore me, you will befriend my wife. As 1 know that the Earl was in feeble health when I left England, you may by this time have come into the title, in which case you will be able, without in any way inconveniencing yourself, to settle an annuity upon my wife sufficient to keep her in comfort. I can promise, in her name, that in that case you will never be troubled in any way by her, and she will probably take up her residence permanently in Egypt, as she is not strong and the warm climate is essential to her.

The letter to his brother was shorter: My dear Geoffrey, I am going up with General Hicks to the Soudan.

If you receive this letter, it will be because I have died there. I leave behind me my wife and a boy. I know that at present you are scarcely likely to be able to do much for them pecuniarily, but as you will some day—possibly not a very distant one—inherit the title and estate, you will then be able to do so without hurting yourself. TFe havQ never seen much of each