Alison ere long had fresh food for sorrow given to her, when a pilot boat brought off to the _Firefly_ some London papers, and in these she was informed--as if by chance--there were rumours of the fast approaching war in Africa, and she saw the glances, most meaning glances, of satisfaction that were exchanged by her father and Lord Cadbury, on its being announced that among the troops detailed for service in the field under Sir Garnet Wolseley was the regiment of Bevil Goring; and so a double and more terrible separation--perhaps a final and fatal one--was before them, and the heart of the poor girl seemed to fill with tears as she read and re-read the startling paragraph. END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. LONDON: PRINTED BY DUNCAN MACDONALD, BLENHEIM HOUSE.