CHAPTER III.
THE ARRIVAL.
THE young men were thus situated as regards both the world and one another, and Mrs.Tracy had almost entirely forgotten the fact, that she possessed a piece of goods so supererogatory as her husband (a property too which her children had never quite realized), when all on a sudden, one ordinary morning, the postman's-knock brought to her breakfast-table at Burleigh-Singleton the following epistle: "British Channel, Thursday, March 11th, 1842.
"The Sir William Elphinston, E.I.M.
"DEAR JANE: You will be surprised to find that you are to see me so soon, I dare say, especially as it is now some years since you will have heard from me.

The reason is, I have been long in an out-of-the-way part of India, where there is little communication with Europe, and so you will excuse my not writing.

We hope to find ourselves to-night in Plymouth roads, where I shall get into a pilot-boat, and so shall see you to-morrow.

You may, therefore, now expect your affectionate husband, "J.G.J.

TRACY, General H.E.I.C.S.
"P.S.1 .-- Remember me to our boy, or boys--which is it?
"P.S.2 .-- I bring with me the daughter of a friend in India, who is come over for a year or two's polish at a first-rate school.