When the party met at dinner they were for a time somewhat silent, for
all were exhausted by their hard work under a blazing sun, but their
spirits rose under their surroundings.

The native servants had laid the table with as scrupulous care as
usual; and, except that there was no display of flowers, no change was
observable.

All had dressed after the work was over, and the men were in white
drill, and the ladies had, from custom, put on light evening gowns.

The cook had prepared an excellent dinner, and as the champagne went
round no stranger would have supposed that the party had met under
unusual circumstances. The Doctor and the two subalterns were
unaffectedly gay, and as the rest all made an effort to be cheerful, the
languor that had marked the commencement of the dinner soon wore off.

"Wilson and Richards are becoming quite sportsmen," the Doctor said.
"They have tried their hands at tigers but could hardly have expected
to take part in elephant shooting. They can't quite settle between
themselves as to which it was who sent the Rajah's elephant flying among
the crowd. Both declare they aimed at that special beast. So, as there
is no deciding the point, we must consider the honor as divided."

"It was rather hard on us," Isobel said, "to be kept working below
instead of being up there seeing what was going on. But I consider we
quite did our full share towards the defense today. My hands are quite
sore with sewing up the mouths of those rough bags. I think the chief
honors that way lie with Mrs. Rintoul. I am sure she sewed more
bags than any of us. I had no idea that you were such a worker, Mrs.
Rintoul."

"I used to be a quick worker, Miss Hannay, till lately. I have not
touched a needle since I came out to India."

"I should recommend you to keep it up. Mrs. Rintoul," the Doctor said.
"It has done you more good than all my medicines. I don't believe I have
prescribed for you for the last month, and I haven't seen you looking so
well since you came out."

"I suppose I have not had time to feel ill, Doctor," Mrs. Rintoul said,
with a slight smile; "all this has been a sort of tonic."

"And a very useful one, Mrs. Rintoul. We are all of us the better for a
little stirring up sometimes."

Captain Forster had, as usual, secured a place next to Isobel Hannay. He
had been near her all day, carrying the bags as he filled them to her to
sew up. Bathurst was sitting at the other end of the table, joinin