feelings and my gratitude.  Also, most warmly I thank you for your intentions regarding my boy.  He will be ready to come to you on Friday week.  I suppose his best way will be to go by coach to London and then down to you, or he could take passage perhaps in a coaster.  He is very fond of the sea.

“We had settled that he should enter the army; but of course I consider that nothing will be decided on this or any other point as to his future until I know your wishes on the matter.  Lastly, dear Herbert, believe me that the news that you have given me concerning your state of health has caused me deep sorrow, and I earnestly hope and trust that the doctors may be mistaken in your case, that you may have a long life before you, and that life may be happier in the future than it has been in the past.

    “I remain,

    “Your grateful and affectionate

    “Mary Conway.”

A fortnight later Ralph Conway took his place on the outside of the coach for London.  As to the visit to this unknown friend of his mother, he anticipated no pleasure from it whatever; but at the same time the journey itself was delightful to him.  He had never during his remembrance been further away from Dover than Canterbury; and the trip before him was in those days a more important one than a journey half over Europe would be at the present time.  In his pocket he carried a piece of paper, on which his mother had carefully written down the instructions contained in the letter she had received in answer to her own from Herbert Penfold.  Sewn up in the lining of his waistcoat were five guineas, so that in case the coach was stopped by highwaymen, or any other misfortune happened, he would still be provided with funds for continuing his journey.

Under the seat was a small basket filled with sandwiches, and his head ought to have been equally well filled with the advice his mother had given him as to his behavior at Penfold Hall.  As his place had been booked some days before, he had the advantage of an outside seat.  Next to him was a fat woman, who was going up to town, as she speedily informed her fellow-passengers, to meet her husband, who was captain of a whaler.

“I see in the Gazette of to-day,” she said, “as his ship was signaled off Deal yesterday, and with this ere wind he will be up at the docks to-morrow; so off I goes.  He’s been away nigh eighteen months; and I know what men is.  Why, bless you, if I wasn’t there to meet him when he steps ashore, as likely as not he would meet with friends and go on the spree, and I shouldn’t hear of him for a week; and a nice hole that would make in his earnings.  Young man, you are scrouging me dreadful!  Can’t you get a little further along.”

“It seems to me, ma’am, that it is you who are scrouging me,” Ralph replied.  “This rail is almost cutting into my side now.”