‘Ah!’ said Sophy, ‘she will soon forget that she ever had a home.’

’Poor dear!  Wait till trouble comes, and she will remember it only too sadly,’ sighed Albinia.

‘Trouble is certain enough,’ said Sophy; ’but I don’t think what we deserve does us much good.’

Sophy could see nothing but the most ungentle and gloomy aspects.  Gilbert had not yet written, and she was convinced that he was either very ill, or had only recovered to be killed at Inkermann, and she would only sigh at the Gazette that announced Lieutenant Gilbert Kendal’s promotion to be Captain, and Major the Honourable Frederick Ferrars to be Lieutenant-Colonel.

The day after, however, came the long expected letter from the captain himself.  It was to Mrs. Kendal, and she detected a shade of disappointment on her husband’s face, so she would have handed it to him at once, but he said, ’No, the person to whom the letter is addressed, should always be the first to read it.’

The letter began with Gilbert’s happiness in those from home, which he called the greatest pleasure he had ever known.  He feared he had caused uneasiness by not writing sooner, but it had been out of his power while Fred Ferrars was in danger.  Then followed the account of the severe illness from which Fred was scarcely beginning to rally, though that morning, on hearing that he was to be sent home as soon as he could move, he had talked about Canada and Emily.  Gilbert said that not only time but strength had been wanting for writing, for attendance on Fred had been all that he could attempt, since moving produced so much pain and loss of breath, that he had been forced to be absolutely still whenever he was not wanted, but he was now much better.  ‘Though,’ he continued, ’I do not now mind telling you that I had thought myself gone.  You, who have known all my feelings, and have borne with them so kindly, will understand the effect upon me, when on the night previous to the 25th, I distinctly heard my own name, in Edmund’s voice, at the head of my bed, just as he used to call me when he had finished his lessons, and wanted me to come out with him.  As I started up, I heard it again outside the tent.  I ran to the door, but of course there was nothing, nor did poor Wynne hear anything.  I lay awake for some time, but slept at last, and had forgotten all by morning.  It did not even occur to me when I saw the pleasant race they had cut out for us, nor through the whole affair.  Do not ask me to describe it, the scene haunts me enough.  When I found that I had not come off unhurt, and it seemed as if I could not ask for one of our fellows but to hear he was dead or dying, poor Wynne among them, then the voice seemed a summons.  I was thoroughly done up, and could not even speak when General Ferrars came to me; I only wanted to be let alone to die in peace.  I fancy I slept, for the next thing I heard was the Major’s voice asking for some water, too feebly to wake the fellow