"Give my best and fondest love to dearest mother, and to darling Clara and Georgie. Much love to all. Let us ever have our hope set, and our eyes fixed on Jesus; and then whatever happens to me, we shall surely meet in peace and joy. Ever, my own precious darling sister, your most deeply affectionate and attached brother,
"Hedley."
From his correspondence with one to whom the deepest recesses of his heart were opened, a single passage is permitted to appear in these pages, because it illustrates that he was as loyal in his allegiance to his Queen and to his country as to the heart he had sought and won:
"How I long for that which I am sure will come eventually — a victorious ending to this war. I wish we may go at Sebastopol at once, for I am growing tired of this delay; and, if the truth were told, I fear my military ardour is giving way to my deep longing to see your face again. But I cannot see how the Allied Powers can agree to peace until the stronghold which has so long withstood us, falls into our hands. Therefore, as the honour of my Queen and my country is involved in this matter, not even to return to you, dearest, would I leave the Crimea, save through the harbour of Sebastopol."
HIS LAST LETTER.
" * * * Your letter of the 18th contained no small comfort for me. I bless God that my sweetest L—— is with her more than mother again, to be comforted in those dark days. * * * My own mother, no less than hers, how I have blessed you in my heart, since the day I could call her mine, for all your love to us both! I was grieved to hear that your beloved and revered father had been ill. God
