much less embarrassing to see them
all for the first time when they come to see Dr. Wade and I am quite a
secondary consideration, than if they had to come specially to call on
me."

"Well, I agree with you there, my dear. Ah! here come Doolan and
Prothero."

A light trap drove into the inclosure and drew up in front of the
veranda, and two officers jumped down,-whilst the syce, who had been
standing on a step behind, ran to the horse's head. They hailed the
Doctor, as he stepped out from the veranda, with a shout.

"Glad to see you back, Doctor. The regiment has not seemed like itself
without you."

"We have been just pining without you, Doctor," Captain Doolan said;
"and the ladies would have got up a deputation to meet you on your
arrival, only I told them that it would be too much for your modesty."

"Well, it is a good thing that someone has a little of that quality in
the regiment, Doolan," the Doctor said, as he shook hands heartily with
them both. "It is very little of it that fell to the share of Ireland
when it was served out."

As they dropped the Doctor's hand the Major said, "Now, gentlemen, let
me introduce you to my niece." The introductions were made, and the
whole party took chairs on the veranda.

"Do you object to smoking, Miss Hannay; perhaps you have not got
accustomed to it yet? I see the Doctor is-smoking; but then he is a
privileged person, altogether beyond rule."

"I rather like it in the open air," Isobel said. "No doubt I shall get
accustomed to it indoors before long."

In a few minutes four or five more of the officers arrived, and Isobel
sat an amused listener to the talk; taking but little part in it
herself, but gathering a good deal of information as to the people at
the station from the answers given to the Doctor's inquiries. It was
very much like the conversation on board ship, except that the topics of
conversation were wider and more numerous, and there was a community
of interest wanting on board a ship. In half an hour, however, the
increasing warmth and her sleepless night began to tell upon her, and
her uncle, seeing that she was beginning to look fagged, said, "The best
thing that you can do, Isobel, is to go indoors for a bit, and have a
good nap. At five o'clock I will take you round for a drive, and show
you the sights of Cawnpore."

"I do feel sleepy," she said, "though it sounds rude to say so."

"Not at all," the Doctor put in; "if any of these young fello