im Blair
were more to each other than mere hearsay acquaintances. She stared
before her, her profile pale in the waning light. "I have never seen
him, but, through Dorothea, we know each other quite well. He has
written to me,--been so kind--sent me brasses--"

"Yes."

"So, of course, I am interested! Is he nice?"

Captain Bedford smiled.

"Nice! What composes a woman's idea of `nice'? Honestly, it is not
exactly the word I should have chosen as a description!"

She turned her head, alert and startled.

"You don't like him?"

"Oh, pardon me, I _do_!" He considered a moment, then added with
emphasis. "Extremely. As a matter of fact, more than any other fellow
in the regiment, but `nice' seems to picture a different type. He is
not handsome."

"Oh, I know! What does that matter?" Katrine's voice took an impatient
tone. "Every one says the same thing,--Dorothea, you, himself,--and it
is so unilluminating! I have asked so often for a description, and it
has never gone further than that: `He is not handsome!'"

Captain Bedford laughed.

"That must be because he has no distinctive features. What would
describe him, would apply equally well to a dozen others. Isn't that
often the case? Take these men on board!--how many of them could you
describe to me so that I could pick them out of the ruck?"

"But I don't like people who are alike!" objected Katrine pettishly. "I
wanted Captain Blair to be different. However, I shall soon be able to
judge for myself. Handsomeness doesn't matter, but personality does. I
can feel in a minute whether I am going to care for a person or not. I
want to care for--Dorothea's friends!"

Captain Bedford did not answer; he stood tall and straight by her side,
his face set in a mask-like composure, but Katrine was conscious that he
understood the implication. His silence was more eloquent than words.

The dusk fell; out of the glare of the vessel's searchlight the banks
glided by, melting into the great desert beyond. Katrine bade her
companion good-night, and retired early to rest. Mrs Mannering had not
yet descended, and for once Katrine regretted her company, and ceaseless
flow of conversation. Her own thoughts were out of control. It was
only by an effort that she could concentrate them on Jim Blair, as was
her custom in moments of leisure, for Jim had contradicted himself, and
blurred his own image, while another personality had sprung vividly into
life