ething-or-other."

"Yes; deuced glad to hear it, too," replied the gunner. "I'd hate to see a
white woman, especially an English lady, married to a native. I wonder how
that girl comes to be travelling with the beggar at all."

"I'd like to meet her," said Charlesworth, who was returning from ten days'
leave in Calcutta. "If I ever do, I'll advise her not to go travelling
about with a black man. I suppose she's just out from England and knows no
better."

"She'd probably tell you to mind your own business," observed his friend.
"Hullo! it looks as if the engine-driver is actually going to get a move on
this old hearse. Let's go aboard."

More spiteful comments were made on Noreen by the Englishwomen on the
train, and the girl could not help remarking their contemptuous glances at
her and her escort.

When the train ran into the station at Darjeeling she saw her friend, Ida
Smith, waiting on the platform for her. As the two embraced and kissed each
other effusively Charlesworth muttered to Turner:

"It's all right, old chap. I'll be introduced to that girl before this time
tomorrow, you bet. I know her friend. She's from the Bombay side--wife of
one of the Heaven Born."

By this lofty title are designated the members of the Indian Civil Service
by lesser mortals, such as army officers--who in return are contemptuously
termed "brainless military popinjays" by the exalted caste.

Their greeting over, Noreen introduced Chunerbutty to Ida, who nodded
frigidly and then turned her back on him.

"Now, dear, point out your luggage to my servant and he'll look after it
and get it up to the hotel. Oh, how do you do, Captain Charlesworth?"

The Rifleman, determined to lose no time in making Noreen's acquaintance,
had come up to them.

"I had quite a shock, Mrs. Smith, when I saw you on the platform, for I was
afraid that you were leaving us and had come to take the down train."

"Oh, no; I am only here to meet a friend," she replied. "Have you just
arrived by this train? Have you been away?"

Charlesworth laughed and replied:

"What an unkind question, Mrs. Smith! It shows that I haven't been missed.
Yes, I've been on ten days' leave to Calcutta."

"How brave of you at this time of year! It must have been something
very important that took you there. Have you been to see your tailor?"
Then, without giving him time to reply, she turned to Noreen. "Let me
introduce Captain Charlesworth, my dear. Captain Charlesworth,