Edith came in, and there was a hearty shake of the hand all round, except
that Dick only touched the tips of Nelly's fingers, in a manner which he
imagined betokened a dignified resentment, although as he looked up and
saw the girl's eyes dancing with amusement, he could scarcely flatter
himself that it had produced any very serious effect. Dick returned in an
indignant mood to the naval brigade, which was quartered in the Shah
Nujeeff's mosque and gardens.

"You are out of sorts to-night, Dick," one of his brother midshipmen said,
as they leaned together upon the parapet of the mosque, looking down on
the city; "is anything the matter?"

"Were you ever in love, Harry?"

"Lots of times," Harry said confidently.

"And could you always persuade them that you were in earnest?" Dick asked.

Harry meditated. "Well, I am not quite sure about that, Dick; but then,
you see, I was never quite sure myself that I was in earnest, and that's
rather a drawback, you know."

"But what would you do, Harry, supposing you were really quite in earnest,
and she laughed in your face and told you you were a boy?" Dick asked.

"I expect," the midshipman said, laughing, "I should kiss her straight
off, and say that as I was a boy she couldn't object."

"Oh, nonsense," Dick said testily; "I want advice, and you talk bosh!"