form and gathered
into a girdle at the waist, with a wisp of old lace flung carelessly
over the slight shoulders. She stood for a moment or two on the half
landing, then, as the aide-de-camp murmured in the Governor's ear at
the foot of the stairs, she came close to the bannisters and looked
down amusedly at the party in the hall. Her face was a little poked
forward--a small oval face, pale except for the redness of a rather
thin-lipped mouth--the upper lip like a scarlet bow--and the brilliance
of the eyes, deep-set under finely-drawn brows and with thick lashes,
golden-brown, and curling up at the tips. Peculiar eyes: Mrs Gildea,
who knew them well, never could decide their exact colour. The nose was
a delicate aquiline, the chin pointed. An untidy mass of wavy chestnut
hair stuck out in uneven puffs and insubordinate curls, all round the
small head. At this moment Mrs Gildea remembered a suggestive charm
sent to Lady Bridget by her cousin, Chris Gaverick, one Christmas, of a
miniature gold curry-comb.

It was a vivid brief impression, for the girl moved on immediately, but
Joan noticed that Colin McKeith had arrested Lady Bridget's wandering
gaze. That was not surprising, for his great height and the
distinctiveness of his appearance, made him more likely than anyone
else present to attract her attention. Then, as she caught sight of
Joan, the interested, startled look changed to one of bright
recognition, the red lips smiled, showing dimples at their sensitive
corners.

'His Excellency and Lady Tallant,' said the aide-de-camp, and Bridget
seemed hardly able to keep herself in the background while Sir Luke and
his wife advanced to greet the assembled guests. This, Lady Tallant did
with quite enchanting courtesy, making an apt apology for having kept
them waiting, which almost mollified the irate Premier. Bridget came
with a swift gliding movement to the side of her friend, squeezed her
hand and held it, while she talked in a soft rapid monotone.

'How cool you look. I've never been so hot in my life. And the
mosquitoes! Rosamond is in despair. She says she really can't afford to
lose more flesh. Do you see how she has had to make herself up to hide
the mosquito bites? Luckily, I've got a skin that insects don't find
palatable....'

They had of course met since the Landing. Joan had paid her formal
visit, had lunched at Government House, and was now on intimate terms
with the new people. Also, Lady Bridget had fo