"But unfortunately it does not fall upon his head," retorted the doctor, grimly. "The Princess, disappointed in her appeal, could not reach the Colonial Secretary in London, but she could reach us." "And she won't do anything of the kind, doctor," said Chumbley, warmly. "She's a very good sort of woman, in spite of her skin, and her party is a great success. It will be our turn to do something next." "What, in the shape of a feed?" "Yes, I think so; only this hot climate seems to take all the energy out of a fellow." For the Princess's party was undoubtedly a grand success, the fairy-like aspect of the scene adding immensely to the effect. The conduct of the Sultan was simply perfect; and his efforts to supplement the hostess in her endeavour to give pleasure won the encomiums of all. As evening approached there was a little nervousness displayed by the ladies at the idea of staying late; and one and all appealed to Mrs Bolter, who immediately began metaphorically to play the part of hen, and displayed a desire to gather the whole of the ladies beneath her wings. "I promise you there is no occasion for fear," said the Princess, earnestly; "and besides, if you depart so soon, the preparations my people have made to illuminate the jungle will be all in vain." "What do you say, Mr Harley?" said little Mrs Bolter, rather petulantly, for she was growing tired. "Dr Bolter is not near for me to appeal to him. Don't you think we ought to go?" "You will miss the moonlight ride down the river if you go so soon," said the Princess, "and that will be far more beautiful than anything here." "I think," said the Resident, quietly, "that when our friend and ally--" "Ally, Mr Harley?" said the Princess, in a low voice. "Has taken so much pains for our gratification, we should be behaving coldly if we hurried away. Ladies, I think I may promise you a safe return." "Safe return?" said the Princess. "Yes," said the Resident; "the river is deep, but perfectly clear of obstructions, and we have good rowers and good boats." The Princess was on the whole so pressing, and seemed so likely to be offended if her proposals were slighted, that after a little consultation it was finally determined to stay, and the time passed rapidly on. The Rajah had provided music and Malay dancers, while the Inche Maida's women proved to be possessed of pleasant voices, singing in chorus in a mournful minor way. Then, as the evening closed in, and the ingeniously-arranged lamps kept starting into life amidst the lustrous green of the forest trees, the scene became more and more fairy-like, and beautiful in the extreme. "Talk about the Arabian nights," said Chumbley in the interval of a dance, during which he had Helen Perowne for partner, "I think they would have had to be very fine nights indeed to come up to this. It is about the best thing I ever saw."