will fret and fidget, and as likely as not make a bolt for it. I
can assure you that my duties were of The most nominal description.
There were the usual number of hollow pated lads on board, who
buzzed in their usual feeble way round Miss Hannay, and were one
after another duly snubbed. Miss Hannay has plenty of spirits, and
a considerable sense of humor, and I think that she enjoyed the
voyage thoroughly. And now let us talk of something else."

After an hour's chat the Doctor started on his round of calls
upon the ladies; the Major had not come in from the orderly room,
and, after the Doctor left, Isobel Hannay was again the topic of
conversation.

"She is out and out the prettiest girl in the station," the Adjutant
said to some of the officers who had not seen her. "She will make
quite a sensation; and there are five or six ladies in the station,
whose names I need hardly mention, who will not be very pleased
at her coming. She is thoroughly in good form, too; nothing
in the slightest degree fast or noisy about her. She is quiet and
self-possessed. I fancy she will be able to hold her own against
any of them. Clever? I should say 'certainly'; but, of course,
that is from her face rather than from anything she said. I expect
half the unmarried men in the station will be going wild over her.
You need not look so interested, Wilson; the matter is of no more
personal interest to you than if I were describing a new comet.
Nothing less than a big civilian is likely to carry off such a
prize, so I warn you beforehand you had better not be losing your
heart to her."

"Well, you know, Prothero, subalterns do manage to get wives