“I. have not the slightest idea in the world,” the Doctor said; “very likely it meant nothing. I certainly should not think any more about it. These jugglers’ tricks are curious and unaccountable; but it is no use our worrying ourselves about them. Maybe we are all going to get up private theatricals some day, and perform an Indian drama. I have never taken any part in tomfooleries of that sort so far, but there is no saying what I may come to.” “Are you going to dine here, Doctor?” “No, my dear; the Major asked me to come in, but I declined. I told him frankly that I did not like Forster, and that the less I saw of him the better I should be pleased.” The other guests turned out to be Captain and Mrs. Doolan and Mr. Congreave, one of the civilians at the station. The Doolans arrived first. “You have not seen Captain Forster yet, Isobel,” Mrs. Doolan said, as they sat down for a chat together. “I met him at Delhi soon after I came out. He is quite my beau ideal of a soldier in appearance, but I don’t think he is nice, Isobel. I have heard all sorts of stories about him.” “Is that meant as a warning for me, Mrs. Doolan?” Isobel asked, smiling. “Well, yes, I think it is, if you don’t mind my giving you one. There are some men one can flirt with as much as one likes, and there are some men one can’t; he is one of that sort. Privately, my dear, I don’t mind telling you that at one time I did flirt with him--I had been accustomed to flirt in Ireland; we all flirt there, and mean nothing by it; but I had to give it up very suddenly. It wouldn’t do, my dear, at all; his ideas of flirtation differed utterly from mine. I found I was playing with fire, and was fortunate in getting off without singeing my wings, which is more than a good many others would have done.” “He must be a horrid sort of man,” Isobel said indignantly. Mrs. Doolan laughed. “I don’t think you will find him so; certainly that is not the general opinion of women. However, you will see him for yourself in a very few minutes.” Isobel looked up with some curiosity when Captain Forster was announced, and at once admitted to herself that the Doctor’s report as to his personal appearance was fully justified. He stood over six feet high, with a powerful frame, and an easy careless bearing; his hair was cut rather close, he wore a long tawny mustache, his eyes were dark, his teeth very white and perfect. A momentary look of surprise came across his face as his eyes fell on Isobel. “I had hardly expected,” he said, as the Major introduced him to her, “to find no less than three unmarried ladies at Deennugghur. I had the pleasure of being introduced to the Miss Hunters this afternoon. How do you do, Mrs. Doolan? I think it is four years since I had the pleasure of knowing you in Delhi.” “I believe that is the number, Captain Forster.” “It seems a very long time to me,” he said.