A. M. Heeley

“ Neville started, looked at his watch, and turning to Mrs. Stanley, said:
"But I must not forget my errand. I came to ask you and Miss Vinrace to join in a pic-nic to-morrow, of my getting-up. It is a general holiday—a Hindoo festival; the courts will be closed, and we may as well make the best of the time. What do you say to a sail on the Chilka Lake?"
"Oh, it would be delightful!" cried Clara; "there is nothing I like better than a sail."
"You getting up a pic-nic, Mr. Neville! Well, this is wonderful!" said Mrs. Stanley, with an arch smile. "But can you really manage it?" ”

“ Stanley?"
"I mean that this attachment, and not the climate, has made Clara ill. It had gone quite too far to be cured by sending Mr. Neville away, and I mean that if he recovers, I for one will leave no stone unturned to bring them together again."
"My dear, I call all such disproportionate marriages a mere sacrifice."
"Oh! Mrs. Vinrace, would you sacrifice your daughter's health and happiness, and perhaps life, to this idea? In most cases, I think you are right, but this is quite an exceptional one." ”

“ Miss Vinrace was soon engaged for the next quadrille, and, after dancing till she was tired, she found herself seated quietly on a couch by Mrs. Stanley, who amused her with rapid and good-humouredly satirical sketches of the different people as they passed near them.
"That stout lady is Mrs. A., who has not an idea in her head, or sufficient energy to learn Hindustanee, in order to manage her servants. That tall young officer with the yellow moustache is Lieutenant B., who is always making bad jokes. And that is Ensign C., who cannot see a joke when every one else is laughing at it." ”

“ Stanley, whom she might never see again, so changing and varied are the vicissitudes of Indian life.
They had a calm and pleasant voyage. Day after day slipped away in agreeable monotony. Mr. Neville and Clara were thrown much together. One day she was seated quietly on deck, watching the waves and the sea-birds, when he came to her, and placing himself by her side, " Miss Vinrace," he said, "you have never asked me why I left Kurrackpore so abruptly; you have never given me one reproachful word for my ap arent neglect. ”

“ Mr. Neville explained that he had met Major Vinrace a few days before, and had had some conversation with him, and discovered to his pleasure that they were going in the vessel he had fixed upon-that he had come on board some hours earlier than they did, and had purposely kept below that he might not embarrass the moment of parting by his presence. ”

“ As I lay between life and death your image was constantly before me, and I learnt that love for you had indeed become part of my being. On my recovery I determined I would make one more etfortto win you. ”

“ A friend would never have treated her so. Thus troubled and perplexed her health gave way, and though she struggled hard to maintain her usual cheerfulness, and to be all that her parents wished, still every one could perceive a change. The Major and Mrs. Vinrace, fearing that she could not stand a hot season, had already determined that she should return to England, and remain under the care of the aunt who had brought her up, and it was arranged that she should travel under the care of Mr. ”

“ His children are growing up. They are now in England finishing their education. But see, they are coming towards us."
The two gentlemen joined them. and sought an introduction to Miss Vinrace. They were soon engaged in an animated conversation in which Mrs. Stanley took an active part, for, as she often said, there was no one so well worth talking to as Mr. Neville in the station, and conversation was certainly her forte. ”

“ He holds a high position under Government, and will leave us soon to settle affairs in rather a disturbed part of the district that has hardly got quieted down since the mutiny."
"Is his wife here?"
"He has been a widower for many years. ”