hich was but a small and insignificant offshoot of the great
house in Rangoon; then he made a few perfunctory remarks on the subject
of the voyage out, and said:

"I understand from Salter that you have found quarters in a chummery; I
hope your house-mates will prove congenial----" he paused and added as
a sort of afterthought, "Mrs. Gregory is usually at home on Thursdays
from three to six."

"Thank you," murmured Shafto.

The principal then struck a handbell, which summoned an elderly man to
his presence.

"Lowcroft," he said, "this is Mr. Shafto, who will take over Mr. Shaw's
share of the landing business; you had better show him round and give
him instructions. By the way," turning to Shafto, "I suppose you don't
know a word of Burmese or Hindustani?"

The new arrival announced his complete ignorance of either language.

"Then you must see about getting a munshi at once."

And with a nod the new assistant found himself dismissed.

On the very first Thursday after his arrival in Rangoon, Shafto
presented himself at the "Barn," a residence purchased many years
previously for the use of the then reigning Gregory.

The house was large but unostentatious; the well-matured beautiful
grounds and gardens were notable even in Rangoon. A recent
acquaintance, who escorted Shafto, presented him to Mrs. Gregory, a
smart, sandy-haired little lady of five or six and thirty, with an
animated, expressive face, intelligent grey eyes, and slightly
prominent white teeth. She was exquisitely dressed in some soft pale
blue material, and wore a row of large and lustrous pearls. Among the
crowd of guests the newcomer discovered, to his great relief, several
of his fellow-assistants, and not a few passengers from the
_Blankshire_, including Mrs. Milward, who hailed him with a radiant
countenance and plump, uplifted hands.

"My dear Douglas! How I've been longing to see you! I'm off to
Mandalay to-morrow morning."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"And I'm very sorry to go--there's such lots to do and see in this
surprising place, but Ella has nailed me down to a date. Have you seen
anything of Sophy--I mean," correcting herself, "Miss Leigh?"

"No, I've been tremendously busy fitting on my new harness and have had
no time for calling."

"And yet you are _here_!" she protested, with arched brows.

"Oh yes, but this is official; Gregory as good as ordered me to wait
upon his consort."

"Hush, hush, Douglas! She is a