"
Isobel gave a little shudder. "Don't talk about admiration, uncle;
that is not the word for it; I don't know what it was like. They
say snakes fascinate birds before they eat them by fixing their
eyes upon them. I should say it was something of that sort of look."
"Well, my dear, he is not going to eat you, that is certain," the
Major said; "and I can assure you that his approbation goes for a
great deal here, and that after this you will go up several pegs
in Cawnpore society."
Isobel tossed her head. "Then I am sorry for Cawnpore society; it
is a matter of entire indifference to me whether I go up or down
in its opinion."
A fortnight later the Nana gave another entertainment. A good deal
to her uncle's vexation, Isobel refused to go when the time came.
"But what am I to say, my dear?" he asked in some perplexity.
"You can say anything you like, uncle; you can say that I am feeling
the heat and have got a bad headache, which is true; or you can say
that I don't care for gayety, which is also true. I shall be very
much more comfortable and happy at home by myself."
The Hunters had by this time returned to Deennugghur, and the Major
drove over to Bithoor accompanied only by Dr. Wade. He was rather
surprised when the Doctor said he would go, as it was very seldom
that he went out to such entertainments.
"I am not going to amuse myself, Major; I want to have a good
look at the Nana again; I am not comfortable since Isobel gave us
her opinion of him.
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