A Bottle in the Smoke

t, he decided he must forego the tennis-party in question, and devote himself to his correspondence. He was now seated in a room adjoining the library which his host had put at his disposal. Mr. Ra

eived in the shade of the hedge a waiting figure whom he recognis

lying in wait for me too! Better interview her here than nearer the house," he muttered to himself, as he threw the reins to the s

I've waylaid the creature; she might have tackled Hester and introduced herself as a f

he same girl who had accosted Mark at Mr. Morpeth's gate. She was now carefully

lifted hi

know you were in these parts at all-thought you h

nights ago, when I see you and another gent in that smart mail-phaeton. Oh my, what a toff you did look! All the same, you oughtn't to turn your back on old friends. You might have looked me

ltus household and other undesirable associates! The memory rankled, and was indeed the chief source of his bitterness against the whole Eurasian class. And with this pretty Leila he had been unwise enough to be betrayed into a flirtation. He winced to recall it. Ever since his return with his bride he had been congratulating himself that Leila Balt

us. Besides, the distance between Nungumbaukum and Vepery is great; so you must excuse me. Salaams to your mother, f

e a pair of done shoes!" cried the girl, her insinuating smile changing to an angry s

a days, or anything else. We've got behindhand, mother and me, and Claud won't be good for a single pice now he's married, so we're real hard up. Come now, since I'm so close to your

ed house, at one of the entrances of which the mail-p

ver, a happy thought oc

ere, Leila, sorry to hear you're down in your luck! This will perhaps help a bit"; and taking a ten-rupee no

oned withou

again another time," said the girl, with a toss of her head, as she crumpled the note in her long brown fin

was being discovered by Mr. Rayner. Fearing it might develop int

ow that a Mrs. Rayner now reigns here.

rew a shade darker. Her lustrous eyes flashed fire, and violent emotion

go back to your lovelee English bride, but my word, you're not done with her you fooled," she hissed as she made a step forward, holding out her thin fingers as if to return the rupee note, but on second thoughts she crushed it in her palm again. "No, we

n will give me trouble yet! What a pity I gave her that money when I can ill spare it with all my heavy expenses. Depend upon it, she'll be upon me for another note before long! I've a go

taking the stable-entrance which happened to be nearest the part