his wife was reported happy and
content,--besides, he was a man, and women are notoriously hard upon
women; as was proved when the ladies of the Station were ready to throw
stones at the erring one the instant it was known that the doctor took
every chance to keep out of his wife's way, and was seldom found at
home. Why the two had come together again when there was no love lost
between them, was a mystery to all and a challenge to their sense of
propriety.

When Mrs. Dalton, as in duty bound, called on everybody, she was
received without cordiality by her sex, who met immediately afterwards
to consult what response to her overtures was demanded by common
civility. Some proposed the snub direct, by ignoring her altogether;
others were for dropping cards into her "Not-at-home box" at the gate
when it was ascertained that it was up; while Mrs. Bright decided to
return her call and let civilities end there.

Tommy listened with indifference to the female cackle at the Club till
Honor's name was introduced, and then he could no longer hold his peace.
"What about Honor Bright?" someone had asked meaningly.

"What about her?" said Tommy, his eyes following the girl's lithe
movements on the tennis court.

"It was popularly supposed that she was engaged to Captain Dalton, and
yet she knew all along that he was a married man!"

"Has any one in this company got anything to say that is detrimental to
Miss Bright?" he asked with eyes flashing.

Thus challenged, the speaker collapsed into silence.

"Honor is one of the very best," said Mrs. Ironsides vehemently. "Let
there be no mistake about that!" This was the last word on the subject,
and Tommy retired victoriously, cursing feminine tongues that would
never mind their own business. His relief when he discovered that
Captain Dalton was no longer in competition with himself for Honor's
hand, was great, till he realised, later that his own chances were
_nil_.

The Government of Bengal having at last yielded to his importunities to
be allowed to join the Indian Army Reserve, he was waiting, like Dalton,
for orders, brimful of martial ardour while he packed and sorted his
kit. Jack's belongings were to be sent on to him; while his own,
salvaged from the wreck of patriotic-dinner parties at which his
bachelor friends had drunk to the confusion of the enemy till they were
themselves confused, were to be sold to his successor and to friends in
the District. Mr. Ironsides had b