Then, when he sits down by one he
has the knack of dropping his voice and talking in a confidential
sort of way, even when it is only about the weather. I am always
asking myself how much of it is real, and what there is under the
surface."
Mrs. Doolan nodded approval.
"I don't think there is much under the surface, dear, and what
there is is just as well left alone; but there is no doubt he can
be delightful when he chooses, and very few women would not feel
flattered by the attentions of a man who is said to be the handsomest
officer in the Indian army, and who has besides distinguished
himself several times as a particularly dashing officer."
"I don't think handsomeness goes for much in a man," Isobel said
shortly.
Mrs. Doolan laughed.
"Why should it not go for as much as prettiness in a woman? It is
no use being cynical, Isobel; it is part of our nature to admire
pretty things, and as far as I can see an exceptionally handsome
man is as legitimate an object of admiration as a lovely woman."
"Yes, to admire, Mrs. Doolan, but not to like."
"Well, my dear, I don't want to be hurrying you away, but I think
you had better get back before the sun gets any higher. You may say
you don't feel the heat much, but you are looking pale and fagged,
and the less you are out in the sun the better."
Isobel had indeed been having a hard time during those ten days.
At first she had thought of little but what she should do when
Bathurst called.
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