years. He is a most popular man, everyone likes him, among the
ladies especially he is a great favorite. It is ridiculous to suggest
that everyone should have been wrong about him, merely because Isobel
takes a prejudice against him, and that as far as I can see is simply
because his admiration for her was somewhat marked."

Isobel gave a little shudder. "Don't talk about admiration, uncle; that
is not the word for it; I don't know what it was like. They say snakes
fascinate birds before they eat them by fixing their eyes upon them. I
should say it was something of that sort of look."

"Well, my dear, he is not going to eat you, that is certain," the Major
said; "and I can assure you that his approbation goes for a great
deal here, and that after this you will go up several pegs in Cawnpore
society."

Isobel tossed her head. "Then I am sorry for Cawnpore society; it is
a matter of entire indifference to me whether I go up or down in its
opinion."

A fortnight later the Nana gave another entertainment. A good deal to
her uncle's vexation, Isobel refused to go when the time came.

"But what am I to say, my dear?" he asked in some perplexity.

"You can say anything you like, uncle; you can say that I am feeling the
heat and have got a bad headache, which is true; or you can say that
I don't care for gayety, which is also true. I shall be very much more
comfortable and happy at home by myself."

The Hunters had by this time returned to Deennugghur, and the Major
drove over to Bithoor accompanied only by Dr. Wade. He was rather
surprised when the Doctor said he would go, as it was very seldom that
he went out to such entertainments.

"I am not going to amuse myself, Major; I want to have a good look at
the Nana again; I am not comfortable since Isobel gave us her opinion
of him. He is an important personage, and if there is any truth in these
rumors about disaffection among the Sepoys his friendship may be of the
greatest assistance to us."

So the Doctor was with Major Hannay when the latter made his excuses for
Isobel's absence on the ground that she was not feeling very well.

The Nana expressed great regret at the news, and said that with the
Major's permission he would call in the morning to inquire after Miss
Hannay's health.

"He did not like it," the Doctor said, when they had strolled away
together. "He was very civil and polite, but I could see that he was
savage. I fancy he got up this fete principal