Mrs. Doolan was charmed with her, and told her she hoped that they would be great friends. “This is a very pleasant life out here, my dear,” she said, “if one does but take it in the right way. There is a great deal of tittle tattle in the Indian stations, and some quarreling; but, you know, it takes two to make a quarrel, and I make it a point never to quarrel with anyone. It is too hot for it. Then, you see, I have the advantage of being Irish, and, for some reason or other that I don’t understand we can say pretty nearly what we like. People don’t take us seriously, you know; so I keep in with them all.” Mrs. Rintoul received her visitors on the sofa. “It is quite refreshing to see a face straight from England, Miss Hannay. I only hope that you may keep your bright color and healthy looks. Some people do. Not their color, but their health. Unfortunately I am not one of them. I do not know what it is to have a day’s health. The climate completely oppresses me, and I am fit for nothing. You would hardly believe that I was as strong and healthy as you are when I first came out. You came out with Dr. Wade--a clever man--I have a very high opinion of his talent, but my case is beyond him. It is a sad annoyance to him that it is so, and he is continually trying to make me believe that there is nothing the matter with me, as if my looks did not speak for themselves.” Mrs. Rintoul afterwards told her husband she could hardly say that she liked Miss Hannay. “She is distressingly brisk and healthy, and I should say, my dear, not of a sympathetic nature, which is always a pity in a young woman.” After this somewhat depressing visit, the call upon Mrs. Roberts was a refreshing one. She received her very cordially. “I like you, Miss Hannay,” she said, when, after a quarter of an hour’s lively talk, the Major and his niece got up to go. “I always say what I think, and it is very good natured of me to say so, for I don’t disguise from myself that you will put my nose out of joint.” “I don’t want to put anyone’s nose out of joint,” Isobel laughed. “You will do it, whether you want to or not,” Mrs. Roberts said; “my husband as much as told me so last night, and I was prepared not to like you, but I see that I shall not be able to help doing so. Major Hannay, you have dealt me a heavy blow, but I forgive you.” When the round of visits was finished the Major said, “Well, Isobel, what do you think of the ladies of the regiment?” “I think they are all very nice, uncle. I fancy I shall like Mrs. Doolan and Mrs. Scarsdale best; I won’t give any opinion yet about Mrs. Cromarty.” CHAPTER IV.