It was from Lord Lydstone's father, dated at Essendine Towers, the
principal family-seat.
"My dear boy," so it ran, "your mother and I are very grateful to you
for your very full and deeply interesting letter, with its ample, but
most distressing, account of our dear Anastasius. It is a proud, but
melancholy, satisfaction to know that he has maintained the traditions
of the family, and bled, like many a Wilders before him, for his
country's cause. His condition must, however, be a constant and trying
anxiety, and I beseech you, more particularly on your mother's
account, to keep us speedily informed of his progress. It is some
consolation to think that you are by his side, and it is only right
that you should remain at Constantinople so long as your brother is in
any danger.
"But do not, my dear boy, linger long in the East. We want you back
with us at home. This is your proper place--you who are our eldest
born, heir to the title and estates--you should be here at my side.
There are other urgent reasons why you should return. You know how
anxious we are that you should marry and settle in life. We are doubly
so now. Your brothers before this hateful war broke out made the
succession, humanly speaking, almost secure. But the chances of a
campaign are unhappily most uncertain.
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