beginning to say I ought to earn my living or else go home, she said, wouldn’t you as an alternative like to marry Roger Brentham? And I said, He’d never ask me and if he did I should only spoil his career. And she said, _Nonsense_. And the next day, when they had both gone out driving, Roger came to the room where I was working with Halima (who, strange to say, has married his cook!) and asked me to be his wife. How could I say anything but "yes"? I know now I should have died of consumption or something if he hadn’t. But of course I said—"It can’t be till poor John has been dead a year." Then that evening when I told Lady Dewburn, she said, "Nonsense! I can see no reason why it shouldn’t be at the end of March. Then if Captain Brentham has to go home you can return with him." So, of course, I gave in. I’m afraid it’ll make lots of people angry, especially Mrs. Baines. How can we break it to her? There are a _thousand_ other things I can tell you, but if I don’t finish this letter now I shan’t be in time to put it in the Agency mail-bag, which I always think is so much safer than the ordinary post, and I don’t have to stamp it. So in a few more weeks darling mother you will meet again Your own LUCY. P.S. Love to father and the dear girls. _Do_ see what you can do with Mrs. Baines. I feel _so_ sorry for her, and I should so like to tell her about John. Things might have been so different if only my little baby had lived, John felt it _dreadfully_. Private and Confidential. H.M. Agency and Consulate-General, Unguja, _April_ 2. DEAR BAZZARD,— I take advantage of a British steamer which is crossing to-day to Medina to send you this hurried note. Your colleague, Captain Brentham, was married on March 31 to Mrs. John Baines, the widow of the poor fellow who was killed at Hangodi. Brentham will probably be returning to England very shortly on leave of absence (I understood from you you were willing to postpone your leave for a few months). Before he goes I have asked him to co-operate with you in getting affairs at the Medina Consulate settled up satisfactorily, so that you may formally take over from him and be Acting Consul there till there are further developments. I am very grateful to you and Mrs. Bazzard for stepping into the breach caused by these confounded disturbances which have not only occurred in the German hinterland but are now beginning in ours—so we mustn’t boast too soon!