Our first intention was to retire, but seeing Colonel Steele, I rode up to him, told him I had called, and requested him to fix an hour for an audience. Colonel Steele replied, “You could not have come at a better time. Come with me; I will introduce you to his lordship; he will be delighted to see you; he has been inquiring daily after you and Miss Nightingale.” While this conversation was going on, we had got quite close to Lord Raglan. Colonel Steele addressed him, “I beg pardon, my lord; Monsieur Soyer is here.” Lord Raglan turned suddenly round, and, before I had time to salute him, said, “Ah, Monsieur Soyer, how are you? I am indeed very glad to see you.” I assured his lordship I felt highly flattered at his kind reception. “You are welcome to the seat of war, Monsieur Soyer. It is many years since we had the pleasure of seeing each other.” “It must be about ten years, my Lord.” “More than that; let me see--it cannot be less than fourteen, I am sure. I recollect going with some friends of mine, to visit you in your interesting kitchen at the Reform Club. You remember?” “So well, that I recollect your lordship saying you never had a good dinner excepting when they gave you the _pot-au-feu_ made after my receipt, and that I was one of your great benefactors.” “Perfectly right, Monsieur Soyer. You have been one not only to me, but the public at large, in making all your receipts known. Since we met, you have worked very hard, and, although I did not see you, I watched your progress and industry.” “I am still quite ready to render myself useful, and willing to work harder than ever, under your direction.” “Well, well, you may depend upon it I shall do all in my power to render your services available.” Turning to an officer on his left, Lord Raglan said, “Will you allow me to introduce Monsieur Soyer?” Then addressing himself to me, Lord Raglan said, “Monsieur Soyer--His Excellency Omer Pacha.” I bowed to the distinguished Turkish commander, who said in French, “Ah, Monsieur Soyer, I have frequently heard Beyram Pacha speak of you; only yesterday he mentioned your name. He is acquainted with you?” “Yes, your excellency; I had the honour of sailing from Marseilles to Constantinople in company with the general.” “He told me you were about to open a large hotel at Eupatoria.” “No, no, your excellency; Monsieur Soyer is come to show our soldiers how to make the best of their rations, which I consider very kind of him; and no doubt they will improve under his tuition. They will not change their old style of cooking for anyone else. Myself, several colonels, and even generals, have taken a deal of interest and trouble in trying to teach them a better way of cooking. They adopt our plan while we are present, but when once our backs are turned, they go on in their old way.” “Very true, very true,” said Omer Pacha. “It is just the same with my men. Show them anything better than their pilaff, they will not adopt it for the world.”