Frasers of Philorth > Volume 1

276 THE FKASERS OF PHILORTH, LORDS SALTOUN.
over, not that I shall, or can, feel really happy till you are returned safe ;
this last escape is quite frightful to think of, and most miraculous that your
valuable life should hang on such a trifling thing as that little purse ; lucky
indeed it was you had it in your pocket. I shall value it ever more ; pray
don't part with any of the gold coins that were in it if you can help it, they
will be invaluable to me. I want words to express all I feel at your repeated
kindness and attention in writing so often, and such long letters too, when
you must have a thousand other things to do and to think of; they do
afford me great comfort, and as much consolation as I can receive in your
absence. I immediately communicate to your mother and sisters the heads
of your letters, so that they are never kept in suspense about you. ... I am
very sorry for poor Hughes, I read that part of the letter to your mother
and sisters, so that they will use their discretion in telling his wife ; she
seems to love him so sincerely, that I pity her from the bottom of my heart.
I trust you do not give up all hopes of his coming home safe at last, poor
man ! The chance is but small, I fear. I heard you were promoted, but
have yet to learn what it is. ... I heard of your word of command being
given through the whole line, to follow your example, and that it was the
Duke who ordered them to follow the example of the Guards. I hope and
trust he knew it was you who commanded them at the moment, for I long
for you to have all the honours due to you ; I am sure they would be pretty
numerous. . . . You seem to have but a scanty quantity of comforts just
now with these quick movements, but you always make the best of every-
thing."
In another letter, in answer to one from his wife, he writes on the 15th
July, upon the same subject of his having been hit at Peronne : —
" As to being returned wounded at Peronne, it is all fiddlesticks. I do
not intend that my military reputation, if ever I get any, shall have so hollow
a foundation."
He continues in the letter of the 27th June : —
" The headquarters are to-day at Nesle, where a deputation has arrived
from Paris to wait upon the Duke. I hope he will receive no terms till he
dictates them from the Tuilleries, and I rather think he will be of my way of
thinking in that particular."