"’I don’t know that I quite understand what you mean,’ I replied; ’but I certainly prefer Captain Frint to the Major, and as for the old Colonel, he is quite impossible; he wouldn’t make a bridegroom of eighty jealous!’ "Thus in comparative innocence we set the ball rolling, which was to carry both of us to the very border of destruction. "The whist party did not come off that evening. Through the influence of the younger men, it was turned into a card-game which could include six. We played for money, and though the stakes were low I was rather uncomfortable about Amy, as I knew she could ill afford to lose even a small sum. Fortune, however, favoured her, and she rose from the table two or three pounds richer for the night’s play; while, chiefly owing to my ignorance of the game, and a certain recklessness, I was a considerable loser. "It was a bright moonlight night, and as my father and the Colonel seemed anxious to continue playing cards, we left them to try their luck at piquet, allowing ourselves to be persuaded by the younger men to go out for a stroll. At first we kept close together, but Amy soon carried the Major off to show him some view of the waterfall, and I found myself alone with Captain Frint. "We walked for some time in silence; my companion seemed absorbed in thought, and I took the opportunity of studying his face carefully. His skin, which was clear and pale, in this light looked unnaturally white. His features were well formed, and finely cut, while the intensity of shadow added to the effect, giving his face a statuesque coldness and nobility; his head was uncovered, and I noticed from the first, how well-shaped was its outline: his forehead, which was naturally broad, seemed even larger than it really was, as the hair had receded from the temples. The lower part of the face was disappointing, the jaw too small, the mouth and chin effeminate. "I was thus taking stock of my companion, when he turned and our eyes met. "’How rude you will think me, Lady Vancome!’ he said; ’the scene here is so like fairyland, that for a few moments I forgot my own existence, though conscious of yours. I’m rather given to these fits of absent-mindedness, which are evidently caused by some defect of the brain, for if anything interests me, my faculties go to sleep. I was just wondering whether fancy was not the only reality, and science a very dull fairy tale, for when our companions disappeared round the corner, they left me in sole possession of the Garden of Eden.’ "’Had it not been for the inconvenient presence of Eve, whom you were doubtless trying to forget.’ I said this thoughtlessly; then, seeing the trap in which I had so easily been caught, I felt a hot blush pass over me as I continued--’But don’t let me disturb you, Captain Frint. I would on no account interrupt your pleasant dream, and will join the others.’