d drew off.

"That is too bad, Doctor. I was very interested. I like to talk to
people who can think of something besides races and balls and the gossip
of the station."

"Yes, in reason, in reason, my dear; but there is a medium in all
things. I have no doubt Bathurst will be quite happy some time or other
to give you his full views on child marriages, and the remarriages of
widows, and female education, and the land settlement, and a score of
other questions, but for this a few weeks of perfect leisure will be
required. Seriously, you know that I think Bathurst one of the finest
young fellows in the service, but his very earnestness injures both his
prospects and his utility. The officials have a horror of
enthusiasm; they like the cut and dried subordinate who does his duty
conscientiously, and does not trouble his head about anything but
carrying out the regulations laid down for him.

"Theoretically I agree with most of Bathurst's views, practically I see
that a score of officials like him would excite a revolution throughout
a whole province. In India, of all places in the world, the maxim
festina lente--go slow--is applicable. You have the prejudices of a
couple of thousand years against change. The people of all things are
jealous of the slightest appearance of interference with their customs.
The change will no doubt come in time, but it must come gradually, and
must be the work of the natives themselves and not of us. To try to
hasten that time would be but to defer it. Now, child, there is the
bell; now just attend to the business in hand."

"Very well, Doctor, I will obey your orders, but it is only fair to say
that Mr. Bathurst's remarks are only in answer to something I said," and
Isobel turned to watch the race, but with an interest less ardent than
she had before felt.

Isobel's character was an essentially earnest one, and her life up to
the day of her departure to India had been one of few pleasures. She had
enjoyed the change and had entered heartily into it, and she was as yet
by no means tired of it, but she had upon her arrival at Cawnpore been a
little disappointed that there was no definite work for her to perform,
and had already begun to feel that a time would come when she would
want something more than gossip and amusements and the light talk of the
officers of her acquaintance to fill her life.

She had as yet no distinct interest of her own, and Bathurst's
earnestness had struck a co