A strange footing the two kinsmen were on. Something in their hearts kept each from talking of their being such to each other. It was indignant disdain on the part of Denzil, with somewhat of jealousy, too. In Audley it was a well-bred nervous doubt of how much or how little Denzil knew of the love affair--the broken engagement, in fact, with his sister; or the misconstruction of the last visit at night--the visit which ended, as neither yet knew, by an effect so fatal. Denzil thanked him briefly and emphatically for saving his sister's life (the Trecarrels had fully detailed all that), and then all reference to Porthellick, and even to Cornwall, was dropped; but they had soon other things to think of. The father of Audley had left nothing unsaid or undone to impress upon him that the mysterious story of Constance's marriage was a fabrication--one calculated to injure the prospects, and imperil the honour, and so forth of the Trevelyan family; but when Audley remembered Sybil, and sought to trace a likeness to her in Denzil's face, he could not help feeling kindly and well-disposed to his younger brother officer. Denzil having no such tender reminiscences to soften him, was disposed to be politely cool or grim as Ajax. "We must get our bonnets and shawls if we are to see this Conference," said Rose; "and we must look sharp--_temps-militaire_, you know." "Don't be slangy," said Mabel. "Do you call French so, Mab?" Rose asked, as they hastened in high spirits to attire themselves for walking, and little anticipating the scene that was before them. "What are you thinking of Waller?" asked Audley, smiling. "That a thousand girls may be beautiful; but only one among them have an air of refinement." "Like Miss Trecarrel?" "Exactly." All Europeans had now been ordered to keep within the shelter of the cantonments, and as it was feared that the General's house might not be sufficiently protected by the guns on the bastions overlooking the Residency, he had arranged for the removal of his whole family and effects into the regimental bungalows; and already a fatigue party under Sergeant Treherne was at work on the premises, pulling down and packing up, as only soldiers can pack and prepare in haste. With something of a stunned emotion Denzil rode by the side of Waller on the horse of Audley, as the latter preferred to accompany the ladies who were to witness the Conference through their lorgnettes from the cantonment walls. "Oh! he preferred remaining behind," thought Denzil viciously; "preferred remaining with her, of course; what cares he about the Envoy, the Sirdir, or the Conference, d--n him!' "Full uniform is the order, you see," said Waller, as three other officers joined them; "we are to meet Ackbar in our war-paint--in all the pomp and glorious circumstance----" "Oh! Waller," urged Denzil; "how can you chaff so?"