My mother was dead, and I had no relative in England.

I was placed, however, in a comfortable boarding establishment at Edinburgh, and there I remained until I was seventeen years of age.

In the year 1878 my father, who was senior captain of his regiment, obtained twelve months' leave and came home.

He telegraphed to me from London that he had arrived all safe, and directed me to come down at once, giving the Langham Hotel as his address.

His message, as I remember, was full of kindness and love.