h.'"

"My patience! That's a mild way of putting it!" exclaimed the major;
"the anomalous position of this hunted-looking, shy librarian who
carries her parasol and escorts her about, and suggests to Percy that
two are company and three are none! All I can say is the sooner we get
into Kandahar and are paid off home the better!"

"What's that you're saying about Kandahar, old man?" said a voice at the
door of the tent, and there entered a handsome jaunty-looking officer of
about Atherton's age.

"That you, Forrester? Come in. I've just had a letter from my little
girl."

A shade crossed Captain Forrester's cheery face.

"Your luck, my dear boy. I haven't had a line."

"Perhaps there's a letter for you at head-quarters."

"I doubt it. But don't talk about it. How's your girl flourishing?"

"Upon my honour, she seems to be a little too flourishing," said the
major, taking up his letter with a look of puzzled concern. "You may be
a better English scholar than I am, Forrester, and be able to make head
or tail of this. As far as I can make it out, Raby is flourishing very
decidedly. Here, read this second sheet."

Captain Forrester took the letter, and read the part indicated
carefully.

The major watched him anxiously till he had done.

"Well?" he asked, as his comrade handed it back.

"It seems to be a case," said the latter.

"That's what I thought. I don't like that carrying her parasol, and
telling the boy that two are company--"

Captain Forrester burst into a loud laugh.

"Why, you glorious old donkey, that's the dog!"

"Nonsense; she'd never say a dog was shy and gentlemanly, and looked as
if he'd had a lot of trouble."

"No," said the captain holding his sides, "that's the librarian."

"Who--the fellow Julius she talks about?" asked the major, beginning to
feel very warm.

"The fellow Julius! Why, Julius is the dog!"

The major rose from his seat in agitation, and stood before his friend.

"Forrester," said he solemnly, "as soon as I see the joke I'll laugh.
Meanwhile tell me this. Who in the name of mystery is it who feels his
anomalous position at Wildtree, the man or the dog?"

Captain Forrester held gallantly on to his chair to prevent falling off;
and the native without, hearing his shouts, looked in at the door to see
what the sahib wanted.

"My dear fellow," said he at last, "I begin to think I know more than
you. Can't you see this daughter of yours is decidedly int