other hand, her presence at home would in many
ways have been an inconvenience. Two can make a better appearance on
a fixed income than three can, and her presence at home would have
necessitated many small economies. She was, too, a disturbing element;
the others understood each other perfectly, and both felt that they in
no way understood Isobel. Altogether, it was much better that she should
go.

As to the heirship, Captain Hannay had spoken freely as to his monetary
affairs when he had been in England after his brother's death.

"My pay is amply sufficient for all my wants," he said; "but everything
is expensive out there, and I have had no occasion to save. I have a
few hundred pounds laid by, so that if I break down, and am ordered to
Europe at any time on sick leave, I can live comfortably for that time;
but, beyond that, there has been no reason why I should lay by. I am
not likely ever to marry, and when I have served my full time my pension
will be ample for my wants in England; but I shall do my best to help if
help is necessary. Fortunately the interest of the thousand apiece the
girls were left by my aunt will help your income. When it is necessary
to do anything for Robert, poor lad, I will take that expense on
myself."

"I thought all Indians came home with lots of money," Mrs. Hannay said
complainingly.

"Not the military. We do the fighting, and get fairly paid for it. The
civilians get five times as highly paid, and run no risks whatever. Why
it should be so no one has ever attempted to explain; but there it is,
sister."

Mrs. Hannay, therefore, although she complained of the partiality shown
to Isobel, was well aware that the Major's savings could amount to no
very great sum; although, in nine years, with higher rank and better
pay, he might have added a good bit to the little store of which he had
spoken to her.

When, a week before the vessel sailed, Dr. Wade appeared with a letter
he had received from the Major, asking him to take charge of Isobel on
the voyage, Mrs. Hannay conceived a violent objection to him. He had, in
fact, been by no means pleased with the commission, and had arrived in
an unusually aggressive and snappish humor. He cut short Mrs. Hannay's
well turned sentences ruthlessly, and aggrieved her by remarking on
Helena's want of color, and recommending plenty of walking exercise
taken at a brisk pace, and more ease and comfort in the matter of dress.

"Your daughter's lung