did flirt with him--I had been accustomed
to flirt in Ireland; we all flirt there, and mean nothing by it; but I
had to give it up very suddenly. It wouldn't do, my dear, at all; his
ideas of flirtation differed utterly from mine. I found I was playing
with fire, and was fortunate in getting off without singeing my wings,
which is more than a good many others would have done."

"He must be a horrid sort of man," Isobel said indignantly.

Mrs. Doolan laughed. "I don't think you will find him so; certainly
that is not the general opinion of women. However, you will see him for
yourself in a very few minutes."

Isobel looked up with some curiosity when Captain Forster was announced,
and at once admitted to herself that the Doctor's report as to his
personal appearance was fully justified. He stood over six feet high,
with a powerful frame, and an easy careless bearing; his hair was cut
rather close, he wore a long tawny mustache, his eyes were dark, his
teeth very white and perfect. A momentary look of surprise came across
his face as his eyes fell on Isobel.

"I had hardly expected," he said, as the Major introduced him to her,
"to find no less than three unmarried ladies at Deennugghur. I had the
pleasure of being introduced to the Miss Hunters this afternoon. How do
you do, Mrs. Doolan? I think it is four years since I had the pleasure
of knowing you in Delhi."

"I believe that is the number, Captain Forster."

"It seems a very long time to me," he said.

"I thought you would say that," she laughed. "It was quite the proper
thing to say, Captain Forster; but I have no doubt it does seem longer
to you than it does to me as you have been home since."

"We are all here," the Major broke in. "Captain Forster, will you take
my niece in?"

"I suppose you find this very dull after Cawnpore, Miss Hannay?" Captain
Forster asked.

"Indeed I do not," Isobel said. "I like it better here; everything is
sociable and pleasant, while at Cawnpore there was much more formality.
Of course, there were lots of dinner parties, but I don't care for large
dinner parties at all; it is so hot, and they last such a time. I think
six is quite large enough. Then there is a general talk, and everyone
can join in just as much as they like, while at a large dinner you
have to rely entirely upon one person, and I think it is very hard work
having to talk for an hour and a half to a stranger of whom you know
nothing. Don't you agree with me?