the
hotel Mr. Penfold slipped an envelope with ten crisp five pound notes
in it into Ralph's hand.

"I have paid in, my boy, two hundred pounds to the regimental agents,
and in future shall make you an allowance of the same amount every
year. You will see what other officers spend. My advice to you is: do
not spend more than others, and do not spend less. Money will keep
very well, you know, and a little reserve may always come in useful.
When you once go on foreign service you will not find much occasion
for money. I want you just to hold your own with others. I consider
that it is quite as unfortunate for a young man to spend more than
those around him as it is for him to be unable to spend as much. No, I
don't want any thanks at all. I told your mother I should look after
you, and I am going to, and it has given a vast pleasure to me to have
such an interest. Write to me occasionally, my boy; your letters will
give me great pleasure. And should you get into any scrape, tell me
frankly all about it."

The evening before Mrs. Conway had had a long talk with Ralph. "I do
not think I need to give you much advice, my boy. You have already
been out in the world on your own account, and have shown that you can
make your way. You are going into a life, Ralph, that has many
temptations. Do not give way to them, my boy. Above all, set your face
against what is the curse of our times: over-indulgence in wine. It is
the ruin of thousands. Do not think it is manly to be vicious because
you see others are. Always live, if you can, so that if you kept a
true diary you could hand it to me to read without a blush on your
cheek; and always bear in mind, that though I shall not be there to
see you, a higher and purer eye will be upon you. You will try; won't
you, Ralph?"

"I will indeed, mother."

Mr. Penfold did his best to keep up the spirits of all of the party
when they parted on board the packet; but Mrs. Conway quite broke down
at last. Mabel cried unrestrainedly, and his own eyes had a suspicious
moisture in them as he shook hands with Ralph. Fortunately they had
arrived a little late at the wharf, and the partings were consequently
cut short. The bell rang, and all the visitors were hurried ashore;
then the hawsers were thrown off and the sails hoisted. As long as the
party remained in sight Ralph stood on the stern waving his
handkerchief to them; then, having removed the traces of tears from
his cheeks, he turned to loo