And that is Ensign C., who cannot see a joke when every one else is laughing at it."
"Who is that intellectual~looking man with a tremendous beard, who is talking in so animated a manner?"
"He is my husband," said Mrs. Stanley, with a pleased smile.
"Indeed! And that noble-looking elderly man, to whom he is speaking, with the iron-grey hair, and such earnest, expressive eyes?"
"What, have you not been introduced to the Honourable Edward Neville? That is quite an oversight on the part of our good hostess. He is a splendid man. If he has a fault, he is a little too self-willed and authoritative, but that is quite pardonable with such a mind. He holds a high position under Government, and will leave us soon to settle affairs in rather a disturbed part of the district that has hardly got quieted down since the mutiny."
"Is his wife here?"
"He has been a widower for many years. His children are growing up. They are now in England finishing their education. But see, they are coming towards us."
The two gentlemen joined them. and sought an introduction to Miss Vinrace. They were soon engaged in an animated conversation in which Mrs. Stanley took an active part, for, as she often said, there was no one so well worth talking to as Mr. Neville in the station, and conversation was certainly her forte.
Miss Vinrace was by no means a silent listener, but took her part gracefully and modestly, where she felt sure of her ground, perfectly charming the others by her playful sallies, and sprightly replies. An hour slipped rapidly away, and when Major Vinrace came to look for his daughter, he was amused to see her so soon at home among her new friends.
"Well, Clara," he said, "and how do you like your first trial of Indian life?"
"I am quite delighted, papa," she replied, bidding them farewell with a pleased smile.
In short, Clara Vinrace became quite the rage at Kurrackpore, and in riding-excursions, tiffin-parties, and pic-nics, she and Mrs. Stanley were constant companions. Mrs. Stanley thought her the most delightful girl she had ever seen, with such sterling sense, united to such sweetness of temper and grace of manner.
Mr. Neville seemed very much of the same opinion, and finding in the society of this young girl the pleasantest relaxation from his grave duties, he became much more sociable than his wont, and, to every body's surprise, joined in all the pleasure-making excursions.
Some time after the evening spent at the judge's house, with which my story begins, Miss Vinrace was spending a few days with Mrs. Stanley. It was just after the second breakfast—for, in India, all who have any regard for health and enjoyment, rise early, have a slight breakfast, and then take exercise in the cool morning air, and return to the ordinary meal. Mr. Stanley had left the ladies for his usual magisterial work, and they were sitting out in the verandah, revelling in letters and the new periodicals which had come in by the mail that morning. They were too much absorbed to hear approaching footsteps, and by a singular coincidence, Clara was in the act of exclaiming, "Oh, Mrs. Stanley! here is a passage that would just suit Mr. Neville,—I should like to watch his face when he reads it," when Mr. Neville himself stood before them. Of course Clara blushed, and looked very pretty in her momentary confusion, but she readily got out of her difficulty by saying gaily, "How very fortunate, Mr. Neville! I have no sooner expressed a wish than I find the opportunity of having it fulfilled;" to which Mr. Neville replied, "That he was only too glad to be able to gratify any wish of Miss Vinrace, and to prove her very great powers of discrimination; " and so they immediately proceeded to read and discuss the subject in hand. After half-an-hour had slipped away unconsciously, Mr. Neville started, looked at his watch, and turning to Mrs. Stanley, said:
"But I must not forget my errand. I came to ask you and Miss Vinrace to join in a pic-nic to-morrow, of my getting-up. It is a general holiday—a Hindoo festival; the courts will be closed, and we may as well make the best of the time. What do you say to a sail on the Chilka Lake?"
"Oh, it would be delightful!" cried Clara; "there is nothing I like better than a sail."
"You getting up a pic-nic, Mr. Neville! Well, this is wonderful!" said Mrs. Stanley, with an arch smile. "But can you really manage it?"
"Oh, yes, some of us can ride, and those who prefer it may take palkis. I shall send my people on with a tent and provisions. Indeed, I will take no refusal, so don't let me see you hesitate. I am on my way now to make arrangements with Stanley."
"Thank you, Mr. Neville, you really carry all before you. I am sure we shall enjoy it beyond everything."
Clara said she must get papa's and mamma's consent, so a messenger was immediately sent, who returned with a note from Mrs. Vinrace to the intent that she would be very glad for Clara to have the pleasure, and she would trust her dear girl to Mrs. Stanley's care.
The pic-nic came and went. To Clara it was like a new revelation. The gorgeous beauty of the Indian scenery, the magnificent luxuriance of vegetation, the magic painting of butterfly and bird, all heightened and enhanced by the intelligent comments and explanations of Neville and the Stanleys, made the day pass like a dream of wonder and delight. It was specially the attentions of Neville that effected the charm, for he generally found his place by her side; and contact with the fresh and energetic soul of his young companion, seemed to call into play all his varied powers of mind, and graces of conversation, and to clothe him with a new vigour and youth. He forgot his fifty summers, or remembered them only with a sigh, to call himself an old fool, and then to return and lose himself more deeply in the new interest that had stirred the pulses of his heart once more.
"My dear, my dear, will you step here for a moment!" cried the Major, in a perturbed voice to