ain me I
shall soon be at liberty."

"You can easily excuse yourself; and I shall expect you at dinner, at
all events," said Captain Burnett.

"But I would, I confess, rather dine with them, if they ask me,"
answered Reginald. "You would excuse me if you knew how I am
circumstanced."

"Is a fair lady in the case?" asked Captain Burnett. "You need not say
so; I am sure of it. Take care, Reginald; don't get entangled. Young
fellows are apt to do so, and to be sorry for it afterwards. Come, let
me advise you to leave your card at your friends, with a message that
you are bound up country; and that will settle the matter. The lady
will be married by the time you come back again."

"That I am sure she will not," exclaimed Reginald. "She is totally
unlike the ordinary run of girls."

"Well, well! Take my advice in this matter, as you are ready to do in
others, and retain your freedom of action," said Captain Burnett, in a
serious tone.

Reginald, parting from his friend, hurried on, hoping to find Violet
alone. A dark-skinned porter, in white dress and with turban on head,
opened the door, and inquired his name. The sahib was not at home, and
Miss Ross could receive no visitors, said the servant.

"Take up my card, and say that I am waiting," replied Reginald.

The porter, after carefully examining the card, gave it to another
servant. The man gave a peculiar look as he obeyed the order. He was
some time absent, and when he returned he delivered a note addressed to
Reginald in Violet's handwriting. He did not venture to open it in the
presence of the servants; but as soon as he got outside the house he
eagerly scanned the few lines it contained.

"My father has positively forbidden me to see you," she wrote. "He
hopes that time will obliterate your image; but that is impossible.
Trust to me, as I do to you.--Yours, Violet."

Reginald was naturally bitterly disappointed; but yet he had faith in
woman's constancy, and he went his way with hopes unabated, feeling
sure, from what he knew of Colonel Ross, that he would use no harsh
measures to compel his daughter to act contrary to her own inclinations.
Still, he could not feel otherwise than pained and anxious. By the
time, however, that he reached his friend's quarters, he had somewhat
recovered his serenity of mind. He kept his own counsel, simply
observing that Colonel Ross, on whom he had called, was not at home; and
Captain Burnett forbore to ask