nings."

"My conscience is not moved in any way," he laughed; "when it is I will
look out for a deserving charity. Well, if you won't bet I must see if I
can make a small investment somewhere else."

"I shall see you at the ball, of course?" Isobel said, turning to Mr.
Bathurst, as Wilson left the carriage.

"No, I think not. Balls are altogether out of my line, and as there is
always a superabundance of men at such affairs here, there is no sense
of duty about it."

"What is your line, Mr. Bathurst?"

"I am afraid I have none, Miss Hannay. The fact is, there is really
more work to be done than one can get through. When you get to know the
natives well you cannot help liking them and longing to do them some
good if they would but let you, but it is so difficult to get them to
take up new ideas. Their religion, with all its customs and ceremonies,
seems designed expressly to bar out all improvements. Except in the case
of abolishing Suttee, we have scarcely weaned them from one of their
observances; and even now, in spite of our efforts, widows occasionally
immolate themselves, and that with the general approval.

"I wish I had an army of ten thousand English ladies all speaking the
language well to go about among the women and make friends with them;
there would be more good done in that way than by all the officials in
India. They might not be able to emancipate themselves from all their
restrictions, but they might influence their children, and in time pave
the way for a moral revolution. But it is ridiculous," he said, breaking
off suddenly, "my talking like this here, but you see it is what
you call my line, my hobby, if you like; but when one sees this hard
working, patient, gentle people making their lot so much harder than it
need be by their customs and observances one longs to force them even
against their own will to burst their bonds."

Dr. Wade came up at this moment and caught the last word or two.

"You are incorrigible, Bathurst. Miss Hannay, I warn you that this
man is a monomaniac. I drag him away from his work, and here he is
discoursing with you on reform just as a race is going to start. You
may imagine, my dear, what a thorn he is in the side of the bigwigs.
You have heard of Talleyrand's advice to a young official, 'Above all
things, no zeal.' Go away, Bathurst; Miss Hannay wants to see the race,
and even if she doesn't she is powerless to assist you in your crusade."

Bathurst laughed an