He only hoped that his men, of whom he was very fond, would distinguish themselves on the battlefield.
He was, however, somewhat concerned.
Was the Army, which was being drawn into what would clearly be a very long and bloody campaign, really prepared for what lay ahead?
Unlike a great number of his contemporaries, Rupert had always kept up-to-date with politics and was interested in what the diplomats were discussing in every country in Europe.
He was aware, as few young gentlemen in England had bothered to notice, that Great Britain now owned a vast Empire stretching around the world.
One of the most valuable parts of that Empire was India and it was so obvious to Rupert, although no one else seemed to realise it, that, if any foreign country threatened the lines of communications f
