"Yes," said Helen, dreamily, "it is very charming;" and she glanced carelessly round from beneath her long fringed lids, as if she were quite accustomed to displays made in her honour and they quite palled upon her. "Yes, it is charming," said Chumbley, in an amused way. "Get much of this sort of thing at school?" Helen's eyes opened wide, and she darted an angry look at the speaker. "How she would like to bring me to my knees," thought Chumbley to himself. "The insolent! How dare he treat me as if I were a schoolgirl? but I'll punish him yet." The quadrille went on, and at the end Chumbley led his partner round the open space set apart for the dancers; Helen languidly using her fan, and lowering her eyes or talking to the lieutenant whenever they passed the Rajah. "I say, Miss Perowne," said Chumbley, lightly, just as they were near the Princess, who was talking quietly to Grey Stuart and the Resident, "how would you like to give up civilisation, and live out here?" "What an absurd question, Mr Chumbley!" she replied, haughtily, and with the knowledge that question and answer were heard by the group they passed. "Not at all; I detest the barbarity of the country, and the Malay customs!" "Well, I don't know," said Chumbley; "I don't see much barbarity. The people are simple in their habits, but decidedly refined." "Absurd!" said Helen, contemptuously. "I think Miss Perowne promised me her hand for the next dance," said the Rajah, approaching with a soft, cat-like step, smiling and bowing the while. Helen looked annoyed, but she was mistress of her emotions; and quietly relinquishing Chumbley's arm, she laid her gloved hand upon the Rajah's sleeve as coolly as if there had never been between them the slightest cause for uneasiness. "She's a clever one and no mistake," said Chumbley to himself. "I hope she won't be stupid enough to begin flirting again. Matters seem to; have settled down now, and it will be a pity for them to become troublesome once more. Wonder where the doctor is? I think I'll lure him behind the trees, and we'll have a cigar together. It's too hot to dance." He turned to go, after a final glance at Helen and the Rajah, but found himself face to face with the Inche Maida. "Ah, giant?" she said, in excellent English, laying her hand upon his arm, and, as it were, taking him into custody. "I heard what you said a little while ago to beautiful Helen Perowne, and I am going to ask you the same question." "I say," thought Chumbley, "this isn't leap-year, is it?" "How would you like to give up civilisation and live out here in the wilds?"