A Bottle in the Smoke

looking two-storied house in one of the leafy roads of Madras. Under an old banyan tree, with its tent-like stems turned downwards and its dense canopy of green

s always the remark, accompanied by a sigh, made by her anxious mother, as she passed the c

e was only a passing spectator. And now, with the simple sense of duty which had marked the only daughter of the Pinkthorpe Rectory, she was asking herself whether it was right to yield so entirely to the wooing of the magic present. Even her weekly journal from home seemed to deepen the glamour; all in that dear distant home was transfigured by its glow; never had

s the first she had received from her brother Charlie, now at Oxford, and so nota

sun-rays as she hurried towards the house, though an instant object of solicitude to the vigilant domestic. But the lithe figure flew

gh a chink of light served to reveal the occupant at the writing-table, who raised his eyes from the blue papers scattered before him. There was a gravity and placidity about his movements which suggested his being older than his years. His figure, though sl

tter from Charlie to tell us that Mark Chever

iar! Yes, he was Mark too. He was one of

a frown. "But, I say, Hester, he's a half-caste, actually used to boast

ried an Indian princess. Wasn't it romantic? It must be from

l the man must be to set foot in

fe to go back to his native land. Father always

you they don't work east of Suez. I'm afraid, for instance, tha

s papers thoughtfull

to the letter and read: "'I've just been thinking how delightful it will be for you to see Cheveril out there. Tell Rayner I took advantage of his carte b

ospitality to half-castes," muttered Mr. Rayner,

es as she glanced at him. She had not seen

ng to do here does your brother say?

ore than chilly attitude. "I'm really awfully ignorant about Indian things, you see; I must coach myself up or I shall remain a 'griffin,' I fear. Charlie writes--" Again Hester turn

earnt by this time to keep the fact of his mixed blood dark. We must give him a hint to that effect. It is silly and sentimental, to say the least of it. But seeing he's among the

er air of joyous expectation alr

f the steamer is in yet on my way to the High Court." He had evidently reconsidered his decision "not to know" the new arr

said Hester, with a reminiscent smile, recalling how often the two friends used to walk ha

darker hue suits the masculine gender better," returned Mr. Rayner, glancing at himself,

ood looks. His dark hair framed a beautiful aquiline face, though too cameo-like perhaps in its perfection. There was someth

love with the young barrister, but being on the verge of her life's awakening, a word, a look, a touch, was enough to rouse her. And when these forces were skilfully applied by the wooer, aided by a good-natured hostess with the alleged feminine love of match-making, the result may be supposed. Though with the girl herself, the matter was no further advanced, even in her own account to her mother, than was consistent with saying frankly that she admired and l

parents than that their precious daughter should be given to him at once. His short furlough being almost expired,

ully to tax her gratified husband that he had not conveyed to her half the charm of the bright Eastern land whose spell had hitherto been unbroken. But as she stood now in that darkened room having told her joyful news, the shaft of light which fell on his face revealed to her a little dark cloud in her heaven of blue. It wa

on his table, her cheek resting on her hand, her face shadowed by a sense of trouble. How cold had been the frown on Alfred's face as he had sat there! What a peevish reception he had given to her news, and what a complete surprise to her was the source of his annoyance! That Mark Cheveril, Charlie's best friend, who during his short visits to Pinkthorpe Rectory had won golden opinions from all; that he, her o