in my life what it was to part with the only person I ever loved.  How deeply I felt I cannot express, but I shall try to explain as much of it as I can in the next chapter.

“What I have suffered last night I cannot easily explain.  You do not know, my own dearest K., what are my feelings towards you.  You cannot conceive how much I loved you.  It breaks my heart, my own dearest K., to think how long I shall be without seeing you.  I do feel that more than I can tell you.  You have the comfort of a home, and, moreover, at some time or other, some person to whom you can speak, and who will comfort you.  I have none.  I am thrown on the world quite alone, without a friend—­nothing; but, however, I shall try and take courage, and I hope that when you will see me in three years you will find a change for the better.  I shall employ these three years to reform my conduct, and become all that you wish to see me.  I shall never, my own, my dearest K., forget the few moments I have spent with you; but, on the contrary, I shall only consider them as the happiest of my life.  You cannot imagine how much pleasure your letter has given me.  It proved to me, far beyond any possible doubt, what are your feelings towards me.  I did not, it is true, require that proof to know how you felt for me.  It is for that reason that I thank you most sincerely for that proof of confidence, by expressing yourself so kindly and openly to me.  You may rest assured, my own dearest K., that nothing in this world will prevent me, except death in actual service, from coming back from India at the time I have named to you—­the latter part of the autumn of 1854, or the beginning of 1855.  It will be a great comfort for me, my own dearest K., when I shall be in India, to think of you.  It will be, I may say, the only pleasure I shall have to think of the first person I ever loved.  You may rest assured that nothing in the world will make me change.  Moreover, if you wish me to come back sooner, only write to me, and I shall not remain five minutes in the army more than I can help.  I shall always be happy to comply with your wishes, and come back as soon as possible.  Again rest assured, my dearest K., that if in any situation of life I can be of help or service to you, I shall only be too happy, my dearest K., to serve and oblige you.—­Your very affectionate cousin,
                                          R.C.  TICHBORNE.”

Roger went back to his regiment in Ireland soon after the date given in the foregoing extract; but the Carabineers were finally removed to Canterbury, and in the summer he again got leave of absence, which he spent with his aunt and cousin in London, and at Tichborne; and it was on the 22d of June 1852, that the young people walked together for the last time in the garden of Tichborne house.  They talked of the future hopefully; and for her comfort he told her a secret.  Some months before that time he had made a vow, and written