A succession of fits during the day. My true friend Eyre here in answer to telegraph. [Sidenote: June 5.] Georgina Crosbie arrived in evening an hour before the sad end. [Sidenote: June 7.] What could I have done without friend Eyre? [Sidenote: June 9.] The last sad ceremony performed by the Dean of Winchester in the Parish Church. Her brother William and two sisters, my clergyman brother, Edward and Reverend Edward Eyre attended, and the good Rajah Brooke had a bouquet laid on the coffin. [Sidenote: July 9.] Welcome to Larling from friend Eyre. [Sidenote: July 18.] At Quidenham Parsonage with Edward. [Sidenote: Aug. 10.] Misfortunes never come singly. From Bombay hear of Sussex Stephenson’s serious illness. CHAPTER LXXI IN WAITING [Sidenote: 1859. Osborne, Sept. 22.] First appearance as Groom-in-Waiting at Osborne. Her Majesty, with the Prince Consort, had gone to Balmoral, leaving the younger Royal children, Prince Leopold and Princess Beatrice, in charge of Lady Caroline Barrington. Never was an Admiral who felt so proud of being a groom. Lady Caroline came of a stately family. As we walked into dinner I felt myself smaller than I really was. [Sidenote: Sept. to Oct.] Carriages and steamers were at her ladyship’s disposal; it was interesting to see how quickly the charming young Prince learned to acknowledge the sentries’ salutes as we passed. [Sidenote: Oct. 4.] Delightful as the land excursions were in that beautiful island, I felt more at ease when her ladyship proposed a trip on board the _Fairy_ steam-yacht commanded by my friend D. Welch, who handled her as if she had been a jolly-boat. We went into Southampton Docks at a pace which puzzled me. Lady Caroline kindly proposed a trip in carriages up to my pretty cottage at Bishopstoke, where I had the honour of providing tea. H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent was residing at Norris Castle. Lady Caroline and myself went three evenings in the week to make up a rubber of whist. H.R.H. was the only person who always lost. We were paid in the brightest shillings, polished for the occasion. [Sidenote: Oct. 22.] My term of waiting was only too soon over; I was relieved by Colonel Cavendish. [Sidenote: Windsor Castle, Dec. 27.] I was again in waiting at Windsor Castle, having relieved Colonel Kingscote. Adjoining me were Captain du Plat, Equerry to the Prince Consort; and Captain George Henry Grey, Equerry to the Prince of Wales; these young men were old friends and agreeable companions. I took my two hunters and put them up at Windsor. Everything was new and interesting to me. Late, when we retired, my friends the Equerries kindly came to my room to enjoy their smoke. In the mornings we used to assemble in the corridor, and there wait for orders, riding, shooting, or whatever was going on.