on Scotch tartans." "I'll joost see about one for you," said Mr. M'Clusky. I thanked him of course, and it really is very kind of him. I fancied he was too stingy to make presents. Just then, to my horror, Boult bee came in. Was there ever anything so unfortunate? M'Clusky was, oh, so rude; he would hardly speak to him; but Boult bee wouldn't notice it at first. I was in such a fuss, for if I was friendly to one I knew I should affront the other. Now, I mean to catch M'Clusky if I can, but yet Boultbee is very much better fun to flirt with, and besides M'Clusky may not propose after all. Men are so deceitful, and it's as well to have two strings to your bow. A captain of Horse Artillery is not a bad thing to fall back on. So I did my best to avoid making M'Clusky angry, for I knew that I could make Boult bee think by my manner and little hints that I preferred him, without M'Clusky seeing it; for he is awfully stupid in that way. As to M'Clusky, I was more friendly than ever. I knew he would fancy I was in earnest, and that Boultbee would imagine I was only making a fool of him by my overdoing it. It was horribly difficult though, and they both looked as if they would like to beat each other. Most providentially Colonel Jones came in, and began to talk to M'Clusky, so I got a chance of making a face at Boultbee, and saying, "Oh, that dreadful bore!" It was quite ridiculous to see how he brightened up at this. They did not stop long after though, and I took care not to let M'Clusky go away in a bad humour; so while Boultbee was wishing Colonel Jones good-bye, I said in a low voice to M'Clusky, "How tiresome being interrupted in our conversation, wasn't it? but you will come and see us again, wont you?"

Just after they left aunt came in, but I didn't tell her I had had visitors. About an hour later a Mrs. Bingley and two Misses Bingley called. Mrs. Bingley is a dreadful little woman, always plaguing one with a catalogue of her daughter's charms and accomplishments, and telling one how much admired they are, and the number of offers they have had. So spiteful of her to say this to another girl. I don't believe her though. I declare she went on about her daughter's attractions just as if she was an auctioneer, and I a gentleman, Nasty little black things; I am sure they are more than half niggers; twelve annas to the rupee, as Broughton used to say,* for it was a very hot day, and I could see that their knuckles were quite blue. Aunt says you can always tell a half-caste in that way. I always try and make friends with women, they are so much more dangerous enemies than men. I say I try, for sometimes when they vex me very much, like Mrs. Leslie, I get angry and say spiteful things; I can't help it, but I generally make up to them. A man if he dislikes you does not try to set other people against you, but women always do. Oh, they are so spiteful; I hate them, I do. Well, I thought I had better be civil to Mrs Bingley, so I began abusing halfcastes as hard as I could. She was quite charmed, and agreed with every

* There are sixteen annas to a rupee, and the above is a cant phrase, meaning that a person is three-quarters nature.-Note by Editor.

word I said. Aunt and Colonel Jones looked horrified, but as I told them afterwards they are quite wrong. When people are afraid of being thought everything bad, nothing pleases them so much as your abusing it in another. It looks as if, at all events, you didn't suspect them.

In the evening we drove out, and Boultbee came and rode by my side of the carriage. He was very tender and caressing; and I let him, for I thought that he required a little encouragement after this morning. He whispered in my ear at parting that he intended to come and call again to-morrow. He said, "I can do so, because your aunt did not know I was there this morning, did she?" I said no, and looked down. "Very well," he said, "I'll come. I know M'Clusky has got some business that will take him into the district to-morrow, so that we shan't be interrupted by him." In the evening I remembered that Fanny Lee used to tell me that when she was in India she used to get lots of presents of jewelry, if gentlemen happened to call when a jeweller was in the room; so I told my ayah to take care and tell one to come at twelve to-morrow. Boultbee draws very good pay, so I don't see why he shouldn't spend some of it on me. It would only be wasted if he didn't; besides, I suppose, he won't do it if he doesn't like it, so why should I deny him a pleasure.

The next day there was a terrible bother in the house. Old Jones had got the gout, and was calling his servants all the names he could think of. I didn't understand what he said, but I am sure it was something very dreadful, from his tone of voice. The poor natives seemed frightened out of their wits. They did nothing but salam him and put their hands together, call him "protector of the poor," and kiss his feet. He got better by breakfast time, but was still very cross, till I put him in a good humour by telling him that gout was an extremely aristocratic disease. I assured him that it was quite common in the House of Lords, and that the bench of bishops almost all had it. The silly old man looked quite pleased at this, and said that it was hereditary in his family.

Exactly at twelve o'clock the man came with the jewelry; oh, such darlings of bracelets and rings! I kept looking over everything, and asking the price, in order to keep him till Boultbee should arrive. At last he came. After a little talk I said, "Captain Boultbee, I have been looking over some bracelets, and I can't make up my mind which to take; I want you to help me to choose." "I shall be charmed," he replied. The jeweller chattered away like a monkey, and kept saying every moment, "Miss Baba better take this-look beautiful on her; very cheap; I no make profit on this at all."

At last I came to a sweet bracelet of Delhi work, which I made up my mind to have. So I clasped it on my arm and said to Boultbee, "Is'nt it lovely? Oh, I must buy that!" He admired it too very much. I asked the man what the price was.

"Pooh, you thief, how dare you ask such a price ?"

"What Miss Baba give?"

"Hem! Let me see, it's very bad work. I don't think it's so pretty after all. Well, I don't mind giving 100 rupees."

"Miss Baba's joking," said the man, and put the bracelet back in the box. I didn't pretend to notice it, and went on looking at some other things. After a bit he pulled it out again, and said, "See, Miss Baba, what fine stones; it very handsome bracelet; I sold one just like it to the Burra Sahib's* mem yesterday for 200 rupee. What will give for this?"

I replied, "Oh, you great rascal, I won't take at all; I no want." "Miss Baba give 190 rupee-take," and he tried to push it into my hands. I pretended to be very angry, and asked him if he thought I was a fool to give so much. He put up his hands and said: “Oh, no-me not think Miss Baba fool; Miss Baba very clever, she know everything; me poor man; me work hard; make no profit on this; only one little rupee-true word."

"You story teller, I said, I know you got more than a 100 rupees. You very rich man; got plenty money." +

"Khoda Khasam, Miss Baba, I very poor man; I no tell lie, Burra."

"Sahib's mem bought one just like, yesterday, for 200 rupee. Very little profit; only one rupee."

That nettled me; I didn't like him to think me worse off than the Commissioner's wife. I wish I wasn't; so I said, "I'll give 100 rupees." "Ah, Miss Baba, how I give it you for that? cost me 175 rupee, Khoda Khasam-say 180 rupee.

I pretended to be quite astonished, and said, "One hundred and eighty rupees! How can you talk such nonsense? You know it's very wrong to tell such stories. You know you'll take less."

"No, Miss Baba, I never telling stories. I honest man. I no take less. I always ask one price. Some black men say 300 rupee, and tike 100. I never do that. I respectable man. Colonel Courtney's Sahib's mem, she know me; she buy lots of things of me. I every day going to Commissioner Sahib; he know me; Commissioner Sahib buy plenty things. Leslie Sahib's mem, she like my things; she tell me to come to-morrow; plenty buy. All Sahibs know me."

Well,

When he said that about that odious Mrs. Leslie, I determined to have it, but I wouldn't let him see how anxious I was. I said, I don't mind giving 120 rupees; I won't give a farthing more.".

* The great man's wife. Burra Sahib is a term generally applied to the Commissioner.-Note by Editor.

+ It will be seen that Miss Alymer fell into the mistake common to her countrymen of thinking that a foreigner will understand broken English better than good English.-Note by Editor.

An expression equivalent to "I take my oath to God."-Note by Editor.

"No, Miss Baba, I let Miss Baba have it for 170 rupee. I lose by that, but Miss Baba shall have it for 170 rupee, and buy plenty other things."

"It's all stuff, 170 rupees'; I won't give you that; say least price.” "Ah, Miss Baba, you very hard; well, Miss Baba give 150 rupee and take bracelet."

"No, I won't; T'll give you 140 rupees, not a pice* more."

Well, then, give 140 rupee and take."

I took the bracelet and put it on my arm. It really looked quite divine; I felt I must have it if I died; but I said, "No, take back, I can't afford; I very poor man."

Some

"Miss Baba's joking. Miss Baba very rich; plenty rupee. day marry great man, then often buy things from me. It looks beautiful; doesn't it, Sahib," turning to Boultbee, "on Miss Baba's arm? All other ladies quite jealous."

It is to be

Boultbee, who had been looking on with an amused air, now said: "It does look very pretty, Miss Aylmer, though I must say I don't know any one who can better do without ornaments than you." hoped, thought I, he won't have that opinion if I marry him. you to take it; it really is not dear."

"I advise

"Yes, it is very becoming," I answered, "but I can't afford it, so it is no use thinking anything more of it. I must say, though I should have liked to have bought it, I have so few bracelets, and I am so fond of them. Orphans," I said with a sigh, "don't get many presents."

"If you would allow me," replied Boultbee, "to give you that pleasure, I should feel excessively honoured. I can't bear to see you disappointed."

"Ah, Captain Boulthee," I said, with a look of delight, "how very kind of you; but " and here I let a shadow pass over my face; "I really couldn't. It wouldn't be proper; you know people would talk so."

"Never mind what people would say. They needn't know anything about it. You really must let me, or I shall think you are angry with What is the use of being a friend if one can't venture to make a present of such a trifle as that. Besides, it's all very well in England, but we are not so prim out here."

me.

"No, no, Captain Boultbee; it's very kind of you, and the bracelet is really charming; but you musn't, indeed you musn't."

"Trust me, Miss Aylmer, I wouldn't press it if there was anything incorrect. No-you must have it. If you don't I shall throw it away. Here"-(to the man)-" You know my name; come to my bungalow at four o'clock and I'll pay you."

It would have been a pity to disappoint so good-natured a person, or to see a pretty thing like that thrown away, so I let him give it me. I hope I shall have a party soon, so that I may have an opportunity of wearing it.

* Equal to about a halfpenny.

CHAPTER XI.

A BALL AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE A DISTINGUISHED ACQUAINTANCE-LORDS VERY LIKE OTHER PEOPLE AFTER ALL-BOULTBEE THROWN OVER FOR LORD ADAIR-IS UNREASONABLY ANGRY AT THE SAME-WONDERFUL FORWARDNESS OF SOME PEOPLE OTHERS HAVE VERY BAD TASTE-A TWO-LEGGED SPANIEL DRIVE BACK TO DUM-DUM-THE WRONG LADY'S

FEET SQUEEZED.

DUм-DUм, December 185-.

I HAVE seen scarcely anything of M'Clusky since I last wrote, as he has been away on duty nearly the whole time. Never mind, when he returns I'll soon make up for lost time. The day after I got the bracelet we called at Government House, and four days later got an invitation for a ball. It was delightful, and I enjoyed myself, oh so much. Lord Adair, a Queen's officer, asked to be introduced to me, and I danced four times with him. Though he is a lord, he is so agreeable, not a bit stuck up, like some of the high civilians. I asked him if he had ever spoken to the Queen? He said often, and didn't seem to think anything of it. I think he admired ine very much, for he hardly danced with anybody else, and when he wasn't my partner, he stood watching me so, I really felt quite afraid of him; for whenever I looked up I was sure to find his eyes fixed on me. He was so anxious too to know how long I was going to stop at Dum-Dum, and said he should come and call on me. He asked me if I was fond of riding, and when I told him I doted on it, said he was going to stop at Dum-Dum for a week, and would lend me one of his horses. "It would be quite a charity, for I have got three, and they don't get half enough to do."

"But, Lord Adair, how should I be able to ride out without an escort? Aunt doesn't ride, and Colonel Jones is such a bore, it would take off all the pleasure. Besides, I am not very brave, and perhaps your horse is high-spirited."

"Oh

no, I assure you he is as quiet as a lamb, and has carried a lady As to an escort, if you would allow me, I would only be too happy to offer myself."

before.

"I am afraid that wouldn't be quite proper, my lord," I said, with a simper; "would it?"

like;

"Oh dear yes, there's no harm in it; I'll ask your aunt if you I daresay I can persuade her; that is, if you really wish it yourself," with a tender glance at me.

I looked down, and said, "You know I do;" so he went off to speak to aunt about it, and got her consent after a little coaxing.

He is the first lord I ever talked to, but he is quite different from what I thought noblemen were. So quiet and unaffected; I declare I didn't feel a bit afraid of him; indeed, sometimes I quite forgot that he was different from other people. Colonel Jones's peerage says that