THE EISING IH ALEXANDRIA 37 ‘‘I have already a gentleman named as staff interpreter, Mr. Hilliard, but I can appoint you at once interpreter to the quartermaster’s department, attached to my personal staff for the present. I can tell you that the Egyptian army will be largely increased, and I shall be able after a time to procure you a better appointment. When we have once defeated the Mahdi and restored order, there will be many appointments open for the reorganization of the Soudan. There are a good many preparations to be made before I leave, which I expect to do in the course of three or four weeks, and I shall be glad of your assistance as soon as you can join us.”

“ I shall be glad to do so at once. Mr. Ross has kindly told me that I am at liberty to resign my post under him as soon as I like.”

“Very well, then; you may consider yourself appointed to-day. My intention is to go first to Suakim, and thence up to Berber, and so by water to Khartoum.”

The next three weeks passed rapidly. Gregory was on the following day introduced to the various officers of Hicks Pasha’s staff, and, on learning that he was married, the general asked him and his wife to dinner to make the acquaintance of Lady Hicks and the wives of three of his fellowofficers.

At last the time came for parting. Annie bore up well, and althqugh when alone she had many a cry, she was always cheerful, and went with her husband and saw him off at the station of the railway for Ismailia without breaking down badly.