"
There could be no doubt that the Major's niece was a great success
in the regiment. Richards and Wilson, two lads who had joined six
months before, succumbed at once, and mutual animosity succeeded
the close friendship they had hitherto entertained for each other.
Travers, the Senior Captain, a man who had hitherto been noted for
his indifference to the charms of female society, went so far as
to admit that Miss Hannay was a very nice, unaffected girl. Mrs.
Doolan was quite enthusiastic about her.
"It is very lucky, Jim," she said to her husband, "that you were
a sober and respected married man before she came out, and that I
am installed here as your lawful and wedded wife instead of being
at Ballycrogin with only an engagement ring on my finger. I know
your susceptible nature; you would have fallen in love with her,
and she would not have had you, and we should both of us have been
miserable."
"How do you know she wouldn't have had me, Norah?"
"Because, my dear, she will be able to pick and choose just where
she likes; and though no one recognizes your virtues more than I
do, a company in an Indian regiment is hardly as attractive as a
Residency or Lieutenant Governorship. But seriously, she is a dear
girl, and as yet does not seem to have the least idea how pretty
she is. How cordially some of them will hate her! I anticipate
great fun in looking on. I am out of all that sort of thing myself."
"That is news to me, Norah; I think you are just as fond of a quiet
flirtation as you used to be.
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