an with a mask on: it gave me a creepy feeling. It did not seem to
me that one single word he said was sincere, but that he was acting; and
over and over again as he was talking I said to myself, 'What is this
man really like? I know he is not the least bit in the world what he
pretends to be. But what is the reality?' I felt just the same as I
should if I had one of those great snakes they bring to our veranda
coiling round me. The creature might look quiet enough, but I should
know that if it were to tighten it would crush me in a moment."

The Major and Mrs. Hunter both laughed at her earnestness, but the
Doctor said gravely, "Is that really how you felt about him when he was
talking to you, Miss Hannay? I am sorry to hear you say that. I own
that my opinion has been that of everyone here, that the Rajah is a good
fellow and a firm friend of the Europeans, and my only doubt has arisen
from the fact that it was unnatural he should like us when he has
considerable grounds for grievance against us. We have always relied
upon his influence, which is great among his countrymen, being thrown
entirely into the scale on our side if any trouble should ever arise;
but I own that what you say makes me doubt him. I would always take the
opinion of a dog or a child about anyone in preference to my own."

"You are not very complimentary, Doctor," Isobel laughed.

"Well, my dear, a young girl who has not mixed much in the world and had
her instincts blunted is in that respect very much like a child. She may
be deceived, and constantly is deceived where her heart is concerned,
and is liable to be taken in by any plausible scoundrel; but where her
heart is not concerned her instincts are true. When I see children and
dogs stick to a man I am convinced that he is all right, though I may
not personally have taken to him. When I see a dog put his tail between
his legs and decline to accept the advances of a man, and when I see
children slip away from him as soon as they can, I distrust him at once,
however pleasant a fellow he may be. As the Rajah, from all I heard,
certainly laid himself out to be agreeable to you last night, and yet in
spite of that you felt as you say you did about him, I am bound to say
that without at once admitting that my impressions about him were
wrong, I consider that there is good ground for thinking the matter over
again."

"What nonsense, Doctor," the Major laughed. "Everyone here has known the
Rajah for