native
spectators surrounding it, the uniforms of the British soldiers in the
crowd, and the frocks of the English ladies in the reserved enclosure,
where in large white marquees the officers of Charlesworth's regiment acted
as hosts to the European visitors. Down the precipitous road to it from
Darjeeling came swarms of mixed Eastern races in picturesque garb, Gurkha
soldiers in uniform, and British gunners from Jalapahar; and through the
throngs Englishmen on ponies, and _dandies_ and rickshas carrying ladies in
smart summer frocks, could scarcely make their way.

When Mrs. Smith's party reached the enclosure and shook hands with the wife
of the Colonel of the Rifles, who was the senior hostess, Noreen was not
troubled by the feeling of shyness that had assailed her at the Club on the
previous evening. She had the comforting knowledge that her habit and boots
from the best West End makers were beyond cavil. But she was too excited at
the thought of the approaching contests to think much of her appearance.
Charlesworth took her to see the pony that she was to ride, and, as she
passed through the enclosure, she did not hear the admiring remarks of many
of the men and, indeed, of some of the women. For in India even an
ordinarily pretty girl will be thought beautiful, and Noreen was more than
ordinarily pretty. Her mount she found to be a well-shaped, fourteen-two
grey Arab, with the perfect manners of his race; and she instantly lost her
heart to him as he rubbed his velvety muzzle against her cheek.

The gymkhana opened with men's competitions, the first event in which
ladies were to take part, the Tilting and Tent-pegging, not occurring until
nearly half-way down the programme. Noreen was awaiting it too anxiously to
enjoy, as she otherwise would, the novel scene, the gaiety, the band in the
enclosure, the well-dressed throngs of English folk, the gaudy colours of
the crowds squatting round the polo-ground and wondering at the strange
diversions of the sahib-_logue_. Charlesworth did well in the men's event,
securing two first prizes and a third, and Noreen could not help admiring
him in the saddle. He was a graceful as well as a good rider. Indeed, he
was No. 2 in the regimental polo team, which was one of the best in India
at the time.

When the moment for their competition came at last and he swung her
up into her saddle, Noreen's heart beat violently and her bridle-hand
shook. But when, after other couples had ri