During his progress through this bustling scene, Miles observed that the soldiers invariably received the gifts from the lady with respect, and, many of them, with hearty expressions of thanks, while a few stopped her to speak about the contents of the envelopes.  So numerous were the men that the work had to be done with business-like celerity, but the visitor was experienced.  While wasting no time in useless delay, she never hurried her movements, or refused to stop and speak, or forced her way through the moving throng.  Almost unobserved, save by the men who chanced to be next to her, she glided in and out amongst them like a spirit of light--which, in the highest sense, she was--intent on her beneficent mission.  Her sole aim was to save the men from the tremendous dangers that awaited them on landing in Portsmouth, and bring them under Christian influence.