Milner was the chief British civil administrator in South Africa through the (bitterly controversial at home) Boer War.
This letter was another of those excruciating pleasures, that almost reduced Miss Milner to the grave.
Of the many restless nights that Miss Milner passed, this was not one.
(p.078) Milner's reply is significant of the spirit in which he had undertaken his task.
And it would be well if you and Milner were to meet the Boer Representatives, and make this plain to them.
Milner and St. Aubyn were to sleep that night at a hotel and start for Damascus next morning by diligence.
