this is
Miss Daleham, an old school-friend, who has come up to keep me company.
We poor hill-widows are so lonely."

The Rifleman held out his hand eagerly to the girl.

"How d'you do, Miss Daleham? I hope you've come up for the Season."

"Yes, I think so," she replied. "It's a very delightful change from down
below. This is my first visit to a hill-station."

"Then you'll be sure to enjoy it. Are you going to the
Lieutenant-Governor's ball on Thursday?"

"I don't suppose so. I don't know anything about it," she replied.
"You see, I've only just arrived."

"You are, dear," said Ida. "I told Captain Craigie, one of the A.D.C.'s,
that you were coming up, and he sent me your invitation with mine."

"Oh, how jolly!" exclaimed the girl. "I do hope I'll get some partners."

"Please accept me as one," said Charlesworth. Then he tactfully added to
Ida, "I hope you'll spare me a couple of dances, Mrs. Smith."

"With pleasure, Captain Charlesworth," she replied. "But do come and see us
before then."

"I shall be delighted to. By the way, are you going to the gymkhana on the
polo-ground tomorrow?"

"Yes, we are."

Charlesworth turned to Noreen.

"In that case, Miss Daleham, perhaps you'll be good enough to nominate me
for some of the events. As you have only just got here you won't have been
snapped up yet by other fellows. I know it's hopeless to expect Mrs. Smith
not to be."

Ida smiled, well pleased at the flattery, although, as a matter of fact, no
one had yet asked her to nominate him.

"I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do," answered Noreen. "I've never been
to a gymkhana in India. I haven't seen or ridden in any, except at
Hurlingham and Ranelagh."

Charlesworth made a mental note of this. If the girl had taken part in
gymkhanas at the London Clubs she must be socially all right, he thought.

"They're just the same," he said. "In England they've only copied India in
these things. Have you brought your habit with you?"

"Yes; Mrs. Smith told me in her letters that I could get riding up here."

"Good. I've got a ripping pony for a lady. I'll raise a saddle for you
somewhere, and we'll enter for some of the affinity events."

The girl's eyes sparkled.

"Oh, how delightful. Could I do it, Ida?"

"Yes, certainly, dear."

"I should love to. It's very kind of you, Captain Charlesworth. Thank you
ever so much. It will be splendid. I hope I shan't disgrace you."

"I'm sure you won't. I'll call for you