Some relations of Sir Adrian's happened at this time to take up their abode at the Cape. They called at Newlands, and introduced a young man, who had come from England with them, and who brought letters of special introduction to the Governor. Lady Amabel was indisposed, and I received the guests; they remained to luncheon. Lady Amabel sent to request that they, with _Mr Lyle_, would remain to dinner. They could not accept the invitation, but Mr Lyle did, and was left _tete-a-tete_ with me. Handsome, original, and clever, he certainly beguiled away those hours more agreeably than I had expected. He spent the evening with Lady Amabel and myself. She liked him; she said he was "not _too_ clever for us," in our unsettled, agitated state, for we were only _hoping_ for peace; and she gave him a general invitation to our country residence, to which she had also asked her relatives during their _sejour_ at the Cape. Unaccustomed to thoroughly "private life," Lady Amabel was happy to throw her house open again to society. We had no fetes or dinner-parties; we were not gay, but we were cheerful, for every week brought us more hopeful intelligence from the seat of war. I heard less of Mrs Rashleigh and Clarence Fairfax, and believed his excuses for short and hurried notes to me. The interchange of these notes was not quite right; but, although kind, they contained no warm expressions of regard. Lady Amabel considered them harmless, because Clarence signed himself a "Faithful Cousin." I suppose she had not the heart to forbid what she saw gave me so much pleasure. He was, he said, "overwhelmed with office work." Mr Lyle had been sent from England to join a force quartered at Natal, but with especial credentials to the Governor, to whom he enclosed them. He shortly received instruction to remain at Cape Town for the present, Sir Adrian anticipating an opportunity of naming him for a staff appointment. He visited us almost daily. Lady Amabel was charmed with his attentions. He was ever ready to bring us good news, and on the arrival of despatches would gallop out to Newlands to be the first herald of the tidings. I have told you that the first impression he made was agreeable--but as for marriage!--