The latter's bell rang, and Stanley went in.
"You saw the colonel, Mr.Brooke ?" "Yes, sir; and he begged me to say that he was extremely glad to get the news, and much obliged to you for sending it so promptly." "There is no occasion for you and Mr.Tollemache to stay here any longer, now; but at five o'clock I shall ride out to the pagoda.

At any rate, should I want you before then, I shall know where to send for you." This was the general order, for in the afternoon there was, when things were quiet, a hush for two or three hours.

The work of the aides-de-camp was, indeed, generally very light for, as there were no movements of troops, no useless parades, and very few military orders to be carried, they had a great deal of time on their hands; and usually took it by turns to be on duty for the day, the one off duty being free to pay visits to acquaintances in the various camps, or on board ship.

During the rainy season, however, very few officers or men went beyond shelter, unless obliged to do so and, from two till four or five, no small proportion passed the time in sleep.
Stanley had intended to pay a visit to the Larne; as Captain Marryat, who had dined at the staff mess on the previous evening, had invited him to go on board, whenever it might be convenient to him.

The Larne had performed good service, in the operations against the stockades; and her boats had been particularly active and successful.