This being probably our last day on board the _Robert Lowe_, we invited a few friends to dine with us, and, despite the bad weather, we passed a very pleasant and sociable evening, enlivened by the sound of merry glees and national songs. Our hearts and souls were fluttering either in France or England, according to the style of harmony. As Miss Nightingale’s state cabin was at a good distance from the saloon, she could not be in the slightest way disturbed by the double harmony which reigned among us. The conversation was turned chiefly upon the arrival of the Sardinian army, and of the destruction by fire of one of their vessels, called the _Capitole_. She was filled with troops, but I believe none were lost. This made a sad pendant to the French vessel, the _Semillante_, wrecked some time before. The next morning, some large vessels were reported in sight, supposed to be the Sardinian fleet, though, from their great distance and the contrary winds, they were not expected in till late in the afternoon. This led to the departure of the _Robert Lowe_ that day, and earlier than the captain had expected. We all left her early, and Miss Nightingale installed her nurses in the Sanatorium at the Genoese Heights, near the Tower, a sketch of which appeared in the _Illustrated London News_, of the latter end of May, 1855, where we accompanied her with a numerous escort. As it seemed probable that Miss Nightingale would be engaged the whole of the day classing her ladies in their various departments, we postponed our visit to the Leander Bay naval hospital till the morrow. It was also necessary for us to take up our quarters on board the _London_. The morning had been gloomy, and about one o’clock it began to rain. I thought this would be a good opportunity for obtaining an audience with Lord Raglan at head-quarters. Having mentioned the matter to Mr. Bracebridge, he approved it, and proposed accompanying me. We dressed to face the weather. I rode the mule, and off we went through the rain and deep mud. In going, we took the longest way and the worst road, and were nearly two hours on our journey instead of three-quarters of an hour, which is about the time required, and even less in fine weather. We had almost reached the general’s house, when we perceived, at a short distance, a kind of squadron of cavalry coming towards Balaklava. Mr. Bracebridge exclaimed, “If I am not mistaken, Lord Raglan and his staff are going out.” We perceived that some of them wore their rough weather coats. We immediately galloped towards them, and found that it really was Lord Raglan and his staff, with about thirty mounted officers, amongst whom were some attached to the French and Turkish army.