‘Oh, Sir Russell,’ replied Mrs Courtney, in the same strain, ‘you must not spoil my child! I know myself that her chief fault is that which will mend every day; still she is _very_ young--there is no denying that--and will often need a little kindly counsel as to how she should act in her high position.’ ‘She will only need to be herself, and to act on her own impulses, to make the most charming hostess that ever presided at the Government House. But we have not yet spoken of when the marriage is to take place, Mrs Courtney,--and I hope you will persuade Maraquita not to keep me waiting too long.’ ‘You are very impatient,’ she replied, smiling, ‘but you must not forget that my dear child has been ill, and is still very weak and fragile. Still, if you make a point of it, I am sure neither Mr Courtney nor myself will stand in the way of a speedy wedding.’ ‘But what will Miss Maraquita say?’ demanded the Governor, bending over her. ‘My mother can decide for me,’ she murmured faintly. ‘I have never disobeyed you yet, mamma, have I?’ ‘Never! my dear, never! You have been the best and most dutiful of daughters, and deferred to your parents’ wishes in all things--’ But here the remembrance of certain late events put a sudden stop to Mrs Courtney’s eloquence, and she watched the crimson blood that rose to Quita’s cheek, in alarm. The girl was still weak: it was dangerous to provoke an emotion which she might find it impossible to quell. ‘But I think we have discussed this exciting topic sufficiently for to-day,’ she continued. ‘Maraquita is easily upset, and I should be sorry to see her thrown back again. Will you settle the knotty question of the wedding-day with me, Sir Russell, after you have finished talking to my daughter? I don’t fancy you will find there are many difficulties in the way--but we must think first of Maraquita’s strength, and how we can restore it for the important occasion.’ ‘Certainly! that is the chief consideration,’ replied Sir Russell; ‘what do you propose to do about it?’ ‘I was thinking of taking her up to the hill range for a week, to escape these enervating land breezes. I think a little change would do her more good than anything else.’ ‘The very thing!’ exclaimed Sir Russell, ‘and you can have the use of the Government Bungalow, and all that is in it. When will you start? To-morrow? If so, I will send word at once to have everything in readiness for your reception. Don’t trouble yourself about taking your carriage and horses, mine will be there, and at your entire disposal. And I trust that after the rest of a day or two, Maraquita will permit me to join your party, and accompany her on her excursions in search of health. I have an Arab pony that carries a lady to perfection, and, with your leave, I will send it up for her use. What does my _fiancée_ say? Does my proposal meet with her approval?’