he Calcutta shops so frightfully dear, and
boxes from home quite out of the question--though on the General's pay
and allowances, of course---- Still, as I was saying, no parents with
any proper feeling would wish a girl to remain single just for that
reason, would they? And she has had so many offers--which is only
natural in a society like this, with Sir Arthur's position and title
and everything. It must be a great blow to him, I am sure, this honour
conferred on Colonel Antony." Gerrard looked, as he felt, bewildered,
not seeing the connection, since Colonel Antony had no marriageable
daughter. "Oh, you haven't heard that the dear Colonel has got his
K.C.B.? They are all talking about it to-night--it was in the mail
that came in this afternoon."

"I have not had time to open any newspapers," said Gerrard wearily. "I
am glad to hear it, if the Antonys are pleased."

"Of course a mere worldly distinction of that sort could never make any
real difference to dear Colonel Antony--Sir Edmund, I should say." Mrs
Jardine's tone was severe. "But as a token of his Sovereign's
approbation, it must raise his position among the people here."

"Nothing could ever raise Colonel Antony higher in the minds of the
people who really know him," said Gerrard.

"All the more reason that he should have this honour to recommend him
to those who do not," retorted Mrs Jardine triumphantly. "That is
exactly what I was saying---- Dear me! what was I saying? Oh, I
remember; we were discussing Lady Cinnamond's assumption of
superiority--just a little out of place in the case of a foreigner--you
agree with me? Well, what I was going to say was, why should Miss
Cinnamond, who is not happy at home, refuse so many eligible suitors,
if it was not that her heart is already engaged? There! I mustn't
bore you any longer. Why, you are looking quite excited! Have I given
you just one little tiny crumb of comfort? Don't thank me; doing
kindnesses is my only pleasure."

The lavender _moire antique_ squeezed through the doorway with much
crackling of unseen starched flounces, but Gerrard had no time to
analyse the effect upon himself of the news he had received. Sir
Arthur Cinnamond was his next visitor, confirming the news of Colonel
Antony's knighthood, and then came Captain Cowper to tell his chief
that the acting-Resident was asking for him, and lingering to thank
Gerrard, in the name of the whole Ranjitgarh force, for setting on