irers, and patiently listened to the asperity of their
remarks, the driver should have opened the door and held it back as she
walked straight across the pavement, got in, and, without hesitating
gave the address of the Whiteway Laidlaw Company.

It might have seemed odd to a stranger; still more odd would it have
appeared to any chance passer-by if they had overheard the following
short conversation as Leonie got out at the shop.

"Can you drive me afterwards to Kulna?" she asked in her best but
inefficient Hindustani.

"Even so, mem-sahib," promptly replied the lithe, good-looking son of
the East as he salaamed. "If the mem-sahib will pardon her servant he
would advise driving to Jessore and resting the night there at the dak
bungalow, that is if the mem-sahib is not in too great haste!"

Leonie frowned, only understanding half of what was said.

"Don't you speak English?"

"No, mem-sahib; but my brother, who lives near the New Market but a
minute's drive from here, speaks the mem-sahib's language. Also, he is
a good bearer, having travelled widely. If the mem-sahib permits, I
will call him to accompany her on her journey to Jessore."

"Very well!" said Leonie, beckoning to a boy, who sprang towards her
with a huge basket which, for a few annas, he would carry round the
entire building after her, and into which she would throw her purchases
of all sizes and shapes.

He emerged some time later jubilantly staggering with basket and hands
full.

What a priceless mem-sahib who had not once complained about the price!

The brother had materialised! Oh, those brothers and fathers, and
mothers and sisters, and all those relations who are always so
strangely near at hand in India!

"If I may offer a suggestion," said the soft voice in the delightfully
choice English of the educated native of India who has sojourned in
England, "it would be that we drive only to Jessore, stopping at
Bongong dak bungalow for tiffin. If the mem-sahib is sight-seeing, I
will arrange everything in the most convenient and pleasant manner for
her. From here to Kulna in one day would be a long and wearisome
journey in this great heat."

Leonie half turned with the slightest frown as she passed her hand over
her eyes.

Once again had come that suggestion of something familiar--a suggestion
too fleeting to be caught.

"You can do exactly as you think best as long as I start for the
Sunderbunds to-morrow morning."

"The public