“Well, Crackett, I’m not such a fool now. I want a neat pearl pin for myself.” He proceeded to deliberately select one from a case, and then added with a grin, “That time, _I_ paying for lady; _this_ time, gentleman,” pointing to Jervis, “paying for _me_.” “I can’t stand it,” cried Jervis, jumping to his feet. “Here is the man with the chestnut Arab and the spotted cob with pink legs, that has been persecuting me for two days; and here comes the boy with the stuffed peacock who has stalked me all morning; and--I see the girl in the thunder and lightning waistcoat. I know she is going to ask me to ride with her,” and he snatched up his topee and fled. Major Byng noticed Jervis at the _table d’hôte_ that evening. He had been cleverly “cut off” from Waring, and was the prey of two over-dressed, noisy young women. Mrs. Pollitt was mistaken, second-rate people _did_ come to India. “I’ll tell you what, Waring!” he said to that gentleman, who was in his most jovial, genial humour, “that young fellow is most shamefully mobbed. His valet has given him away. If you don’t look out, he will slip his heel ropes and bolt home. Pray observe his expression! Just look at those two women, especially at the one who is measuring the size of her waist with her _serviette_, for his information. He will go back by the next steamer; it is written on his forehead!” “No, he won’t do that,” rejoined Clarence, with lazy confidence. “He has a most particular reason for staying out here for a while; but I grant you that he is not enjoying himself, and does not appear to appreciate seeing the world--and it is not a bad old world if you know the right way to take it. Now, if _I_ were in his shoes,” glancing expressively across the table, “I’d fool that young woman to the very top of her bent!” In the billiard-room, when Mark joined them, Major Byng said-- “I saw your dismal plight at dinner, and pitied you. If you want to lead a quiet life, and will take an old soldier’s advice, I would say, get rid of the valet, send him home with half your luggage. Then start from a fresh place, where no one knows you, with a good Mussulman bearer, who is a complete stranger to your affairs. Let Clarence here be paymaster--_he_ can talk the language, and looks wealthy and important--he won’t mind bearing the brunt, or being taken for a rich man if the trouble breaks out again, and you can live in peace and gang your ain gait.” The Major’s advice was subsequently acted upon,--with most excellent results. The cousins meanwhile attended the Poonah races, where Clarence met some old acquaintances. One of them privately remarked to Major Byng-- “Waring seems to have nine lives, like a cat, and looks most festive and prosperous. I saw him doing a capital ready-money business with the ‘Bookies’ just now--and he is a good customer to the Para Mutual. It is a little startling to see _him_ in the character of mentor. I only hope he won’t get into _many_ scrapes!”