the Doctor, as he stepped out from the veranda, with a shout.

"Glad to see you back, Doctor. The regiment has not seemed like
itself without you."

"We have been just pining without you, Doctor," Captain Doolan
said; "and the ladies would have got up a deputation to meet you on
your arrival, only I told them that it would be too much for your
modesty."

"Well, it is a good thing that someone has a little of that quality
in the regiment, Doolan," the Doctor said, as he shook hands heartily
with them both. "It is very little of it that fell to the share of
Ireland when it was served out."

As they dropped the Doctor's hand the Major said, "Now, gentlemen,
let me introduce you to my niece." The introductions were made,
and the whole party took chairs on the veranda.

"Do you object to smoking, Miss Hannay; perhaps you have not got
accustomed to it yet? I see the Doctor is-smoking; but then he is
a privileged person, altogether beyond rule."

"I rather like it in the open air," Isobel said. "No doubt I shall
get accustomed to it indoors before long."

In a few minutes four or five more of the officers arrived, and
Isobel sat an amused listener to the talk; taking but little part
in it herself, but gathering a good deal of information as to
the people at the station from the answers given to the Doctor's