“Yes,” returned her sister, “he must be very blindly in love, if he supposes her to be but nineteen.” “She looks quite ten years older--nearly as old as I am,” said Mrs. Calvert. “And so she is,” replied Miss Gay. “I heard her talking of being at Ascot on a Cup day, and some one said, ‘Why _that_ horse ran eleven years ago.’ She seemed so vexed, and said that she was taken by her mother when she was quite a little girl in short petticoats.” “I shall be truly thankful when this voyage is over! We have had fine weather certainly, but what storms--my nerves, I know, have all gone to pieces, but sometimes, Rosie, I tremble all over!” “Now that she and Miss Cox don’t speak it is better,” said her sister consolingly. “But Miss Cox’s friends have all cut her, and so have several people. Oh! I little knew what I was undertaking,” rejoined Mrs. Calvert with a groan. “I wonder whether Mr. Holroyd knows what he is undertaking?” “Poor fellow! I am sure he has no suspicion of her temper--I wish you had seen the letter he wrote to me about his pretty inexperienced young bride.” “Pretty, yes; inexperienced, no; young, no.” “He has married her for herself alone. She has not a fraction; he actually paid for her passage. Her face is her sole fortune.” “If he could but see her in her true colours, I am sure he would thankfully furnish her with a return ticket,” said Miss Gay briskly--“and there’s the first bell, let us hurry down and get dressed before she appears upon the scene, for you know, we won’t get _near_ the glass!” The _Nankin_ arrived in Bombay a few hours earlier than she was expected, and the steam launch which brought off the company’s agent, various eager husbands, some servants to welcome old masters, and all the letters--did not bring George Holroyd. The Calverts and their fair charge had been installed for some hours at Watson’s Hotel before he made his appearance, and during that time, although the bride-elect showed no anxiety, Mrs. Calvert was a prey to many misgivings. Could he have heard of her quarrels and flirtations? Could he have changed his mind at the eleventh hour?