All leave had not yet been stopped, but officers away were ordered to leave addresses, so that they could be summoned to join at an hour's notice.
When he had left home that morning for a day's shooting with Sir John, he had ordered a horse to be kept saddled, so that if a telegram came it could be brought to him without a moment's delay.

He was burning to be off.

There had at first been keen disappointment in the regiment that they were not likely to take part in the fierce struggle; but the feeling had changed into one of eager expectation, when, as the contest widened and it was evident that it would be necessary to make the greatest efforts to save India, the prospect of their employment in the work grew.
For the last fortnight expectation had been at its height.

Orders had been received for the regiment to hold itself in readiness for embarkation, men had been called back from furlough, the heavy baggage had been packed; and all was ready for a start at twenty-four hours' notice.

Many of the officers obtained a few days' leave to say goodbye to their friends or settle business matters, and Frank Mallett was among them.
"So I suppose you may go at any moment, Mallett ?" said the host at the dinner table that evening.
"Yes, Sir John, my shooting today has been execrable; for I have known that at any moment my fellow might ride up with the order for me to return at once, and we are all in such a fever of impatience, that I am surprised I brought down a bird at all." "You can hardly hope to be in time either for the siege of Delhi or for the relief of Lucknow, Mallett." "One would think not, but there is no saying.