you are now my
brother-officer. So good speed to you, and God bless you!"

His eyes looked a little moist as he shook hands with me warmly, and,
though my own eyes felt a little misty from emotion, a cloud seemed to
pass from them, and I began to realise that I had been fancying all
kinds of things which were not true.

"Sit down, my dear lad, and let's have a bit of a chat," continued the
general. "This is a short notice."

"Short, sir?" I said wonderingly.

"Oh yes; very. You are to go out in the _Jumna_ on the twenty-ninth.
There's just three weeks for preparation and the good-byes."

"So soon, sir?" I cried excitedly.

"Yes, so soon. There's a Captain Brace going out in charge of a draft
of men from Warley--recruits, of course. You go under his charge; so
you will have to be brisk in ordering your outfit."

"Yes, sir," I said. "I must write to my father to-day about money."

"By all means," said the general, smiling; and I saw what a stupid thing
I had said. "You sail in three weeks, long before your father could get
your letter, eh?"

"Yes, sir, of course," I said confusedly.

"But that's all right, my boy. Your father authorised me in his last
letters to see that you had a proper military outfit, and draw upon him;
so you need be under no apprehension. You will have to run the colonel
up a pretty good bill; so be careful not to get superfluous things. By
the way, there's a letter for you. Have you got it?"

"No, sir," I said; "I've been in my room. I'll go and--"

"No, no; sit still," said the general, ringing. "I'll have it brought
here."

He told the servant to fetch the letter, and sat chatting pleasantly
till the man returned with an old-fashioned-looking missive, ornamented
with a great red seal.

"From my uncle, sir!" I said excitedly.

"Well, open and read it, boy. It may be more news."

I opened the letter with trembling fingers, and read as follows:--

"119, Queen's Square,--

"May 8th, 18--.

"Dear Nephew,--

"I hear that you have your commission. I stirred up some old friends.
You go out with the next draft. Be a good boy, act like a gentleman,
and keep up the honour of your family. You'll find it very hot. I
did when I was out there. Don't eat too much, and don't drink, or
you'll come home with a bad liver, like your affectionate uncle,

"Joseph Vincent.

"Gilbert Vincent, Esq.

"P.S.--I mean Lieutenant Vincent. Don't come to se