and none at all for you. Indeed,
he seemed to think that the climate would be quite as likely to do you
good as harm.

All this is most strictly secret. You may, of course, show the letter
to Margaret; and Margaret may tell Edward; for I never cabal against
the lawful authority of husbands. But further the thing must not go. It
would hurt my father, and very justly, to hear of it from anybody before
he hears of it from myself; and, if the least hint of it were to get
abroad, I should be placed in a very awkward position with regard to the
people at Leeds. It is possible, though not probable, that difficulties
may arise at the India House; and I do not mean to say anything to any
person, who is not already in the secret, till the Directors have made
their choice, and till the King's pleasure has been taken.

And now think calmly over what I have written. I would not have written
on the subject even to you, till the matter was quite settled, if I had
not thought that you ought to have full time to make up your mind. If
you feel an insurmountable aversion to India, I will do all in my power
to make your residence in England comfortable during my absence, and
to enable you to confer instead of receiving benefits. But if my dear
sister would consent to give me, at this great crisis of my life, that
proof, that painful and arduous proof, of her affection, which I beg
of her, I think that she will not repent of it. She shall not, if the
unbounded confidence and attachment of one to whom she is dearer than
life can compensate her for a few years' absence from much that she
loves.

Dear Margaret! She will feel this. Consult her, my love, and let us both
have the advantage of such advice as her excellent understanding, and
her warm affection for us, may furnish. On Monday next, at the latest, I
expect to be with you. Our Scotch tour, under these circumstances, must
be short. By Christmas it will be fit that the new Councillor should
leave England. His functions in India commence next April. We shall
leave our dear Margaret, I hope, a happy mother.

Farewell, my dear sister. You cannot tell how impatiently I shall wait
for your answer.

T. B. M.

This letter, written under the influence of deep and varied emotions,
was read with feelings of painful agitation and surprise. India was not
then the familiar name that it has become to a generation which regards
a visit to Cashmere as a trip to be undertaken between two London
s