use. Since happiness has its source from within, it was not surprising
that Mrs. Dalton had failed to find it in the life she had led. Her eyes
had a wistful appeal; her manner was deprecating. The old confidence and
daring were gone, never to return. Something had happened to bring
disillusionment, and the lesson had sunk deeper.

"I saw so little of you when I was last here," she said to Honor after
shaking hands. "You went directly to the hills, you remember? I do hope
we shall be friends?"

"You are very kind," said Honor with embarrassment, as she had no
inclination for friendship with Brian Dalton's wife.

"We have so many tastes in common, I believe, and might do things
together. In a quiet station like this, it is the only way to kill
time."

"I am very busy now-a-days," said Honor whose time was always too well
occupied to admit of practising such an accomplishment. "There are
ambulance classes at the Railway Institute; the work-society for
knitting comforts for the soldiers and sailors; the bazaar at Hazrigunge
for the Belgian Relief Fund, and other duties, so that I have quite a
lot to do."

"I wish that I, too, might help!"

"The secretary would be glad, I am sure. She is Mrs. Ironsides. I should
advise you to apply to her." With a smile and bow, Honor passed on,
followed by Mrs. Dalton's gloomy gaze.

"Honor Bright is a very dear friend of mine," said Mrs. Meek, kindly.
"Don't you think she is a very refreshing specimen of girlhood? My
husband thinks she is very good-looking, but I say she is good to look
at. A distinction without a difference, you will say? but not so; the
difference lies in expression, which makes the matter of features
immaterial. Honor has such a frank and truthful face, and a nature of
the very kindest."

"I am just wondering why it is she is not married?"

"She will marry the right man when he comes along. So far I have not
seen one good enough."

"It is rather wonderful how everyone loves her! Most people have enemies
and detractors, but Miss Bright seems a universal favourite."

"It is not really surprising. She is universally respected and beloved.
Even the natives look up to her."

"'Respected!'" echoed Mrs. Dalton to herself bitterly. The lack of
self-respect had always been the rock on which her life had been
shipwrecked. She had failed to mark it on her chart, and was now a
derelict. A jealous pang went through her and she remarked with a tinge
of spite, "In fac