"Well?" she asked, raising her eyebrows interrogatively. "Now, tell me candidly, what do you think of them?" "Er--think of what?" he stammered, obviously a little startled. "My eyes--what else?" said the girl, with disconcerting bravado. "Oh--by Jove! they are splendid. Er--I was not quite sure of the colour five minutes ago. I'd have sworn they were black; now I see they are greenish brown----" "And in another five minutes they may be a greyish blue--one thing I can promise, they are never red." "Do you never cry? Oh, come now! Every woman cries." "Pray, why should I cry?" she asked, with a touch of defiance. "But you must have some sort of escape for your feelings?" "Not necessarily. I have no feelings." "Then you are one of the sights of India! What more uncommon than a woman who has eyes like a chameleon, who never cries, and has no feelings? You are a marvel, Miss Chandos!" "But I am not really Miss Chandos. I am only number four, and I am called Dominga." "Good heavens--what a name! Where _did_ they find it?" "In foreign parts. My grandfather--was Portuguese." "Have you no pet name--at home?" "They call me 'Dom'--when we are by ourselves." "Er--may I call you 'Dom'--when we are by ourselves?" As he spoke Captain Fielder hitched himself an inch nearer and assumed his most insinuating expression. "This seat is intended for two," she remarked, giving him a little tap with her parasol. "If you want the whole of it, please say so. As to calling me 'Dom,'--we shall never be by ourselves again----" "Pray why not? Don't you like me?" he asked pathetically. "Because," ignoring the second question, "I am not in society." "Then I am sorry for society. Why do you call yourself an outsider?" "We are--only the sugar people!" "Er-r, now I understand my sensations, the instant I saw you; you looked too sweet for words!" "Don't be silly, and please don't run away with the idea that I am either soft or sweet. I leave that sort of thing to Pussy and Verona." "Verona, is a town--Dominga, I _think_, is an island; Has your mother a craze for geography?" "Verona's name is really Veronica." "Why have you such--curious names?" "Can't you guess?" she asked, looking at him out of the corner of her eyes. Her companion shook his head in hopeless ignorance. "Then I will tell you, and when you know us better you will see how well our names fit! We are called after two saints!" Captain Fielder's broad grin and incredulous wink went a long way in advancing his intimacy with this lively companion. "Now, tell me, why are you so down on yourself? It's a mistake--you should leave that sort of thing to other people--they do it so _much_ better. You said you were not sweet, and that you have no feelings. I am sure you were wrong." "No----" "Er--well, I won't take your word for it; I mean to find out for myself." "You will not have the opportunity. After to-day the station ladies--who are very jealous of me----"