If you are able to give me the pleasure of seeing you, send me as soon as you can a letter telling me when to expect you.

Then when you arrive at Plymouth or Southampton or whatever port you are bound for, wait on board, and I will meet you at the earliest hour possible." * * * * * Old Mr.Salton was delighted when Adam's reply arrived and sent a groom hot-foot to his crony, Sir Nathaniel de Salis, to inform him that his grand-nephew was due at Southampton on the twelfth of June.
Mr.Salton gave instructions to have ready a carriage early on the important day, to start for Stafford, where he would catch the 11.40 a.m.
train.

He would stay that night with his grand-nephew, either on the ship, which would be a new experience for him, or, if his guest should prefer it, at a hotel.

In either case they would start in the early morning for home.

He had given instructions to his bailiff to send the postillion carriage on to Southampton, to be ready for their journey home, and to arrange for relays of his own horses to be sent on at once.
He intended that his grand-nephew, who had been all his life in Australia, should see something of rural England on the drive.