I believe, between ourselves, that your college career, of which he has heard something, convinced him that your forte did not lie in the classics; you know I said so always, but nobody minded me.

Your new prospects are all that your best friends could wish for you: you begin early; your corps is a crack one; you are ordered for service.

What could you have more?
Your uncle hopes, if you can get a few days' leave, that you will come down here before you join, and I hope so too; for he is unusually low-spirited, and talks about his never seeing you again, and all that sort of thing.
I have written to Merivale, your colonel, on this subject, as well as generally on your behalf.

We were cornets together forty years ago.

A strict fellow you'll find him, but a trump on service.