speak, and
who will comfort you. I have none. I am thrown on the world
quite alone, without a friend--nothing; but, however, I
shall try and take courage, and I hope that when you will
see me in three years you will find a change for the better.
I shall employ these three years to reform my conduct, and
become all that you wish to see me. I shall never, my own,
my dearest K., forget the few moments I have spent with you;
but, on the contrary, I shall only consider them as the
happiest of my life. You cannot imagine how much pleasure
your letter has given me. It proved to me, far beyond any
possible doubt, what are your feelings towards me. I did
not, it is true, require that proof to know how you felt for
me. It is for that reason that I thank you most sincerely
for that proof of confidence, by expressing yourself so
kindly and openly to me. You may rest assured, my own
dearest K., that nothing in this world will prevent me,
except death in actual service, from coming back from India
at the time I have named to you--the latter part of the
autumn of 1854, or the beginning of 1855. It will be a great
comfort for me, my own dearest K., when I shall be in India,
to think of you. It will be, I may say, the only pleasure I
shall have to think of the first person I ever loved. You
may rest assured that nothing in the world will make me
change. Moreover, if you wish me to come back sooner, only
write to me, and I shall not remain five minutes in the army
more than I can help. I shall always be happy to comply with
your wishes, and come back as soon as possible. Again rest
assured, my dearest K., that if in any situation of life I
can be of help or service to you, I shall only be too happy,
my dearest K., to serve and oblige you.--Your very
affectionate cousin,
R.C. TICHBORNE."

Roger went back to his regiment in Ireland soon after the date given
in the foregoing extract; but the Carabineers were finally removed to
Canterbury, and in the summer he again got leave of absence, which he
spent with his aunt and cousin in London, and at Tichborne; and it
was on the 22d of June 1852, that the young people walked together for
the last time in the garden of Tichborne house. They talked of the
future hopefully; and for her comfort he t