dare say you have
noticed, my dear Rupert, that the compilers of family histories
often, through jealousy, alter matter that they are allowed to use so
as to suit their own purpose or minister to their own vanity. I
think it right to tell you that I have had a certified copy made by
Petter and Galpin, the law stationers, so that I shall be able to
verify whether my stipulation has been honourably observed. I am
having the book, which is naturally valuable, carefully packed, and
shall have it forwarded to Sir Edward Bingham Trent, Baronet (which
he now is--Heaven save the mark!), the Attorney. Please see that he
returns it to me, and in proper order. He is not to publish for
himself anything in it about him. A man of that class is apt to
advertise the fact of anyone of distinction taking any notice of him.
I would bring out the MS. to you myself, and stay for a while with
you for some sport, only your lot--subjects I suppose you call
them!--are such bounders that a gentleman's life is hardly safe
amongst them. I never met anyone who had so poor an appreciation of
a joke as they have. By the way, how is Teuta? She is one of them.
I heard all about the hatching business. I hope the kid is all
right. This is only a word in your ear, so don't get cocky, old son.
I am open to a godfathership. Think of that, Hedda! Of course, if
the other godfather and the godmother are up to the mark; I don't
want to have to boost up the whole lot! Savvy? Kiss Teuta and the
kid for me. I must have the boy over here for a bit later on--when
he is presentable, and has learned not to be a nuisance. It will be
good for him to see something of a real first-class English country
house like Humcroft. To a person only accustomed to rough ways and
meagre living its luxury will make a memory which will serve in time
as an example to be aimed at. I shall write again soon. Don't
hesitate to ask any favour which I may be able to confer on you. So
long!

Your affectionate cousin,
ERNEST ROGER HALBARD MELTON.

_Extract from Letter from E. Bingham Trent to Queen Teuta of the Blue
Mountains_.

. . . So I thought the best way to serve that appalling cad would be
to take him at his word, and put in his literary contribu