“But—Lady Joseline”; and he looked at Joseline, resolved that he would not desert her.
“Oh, she will be all right! Here comes Colonel Wildairs, only too pleased to take her off your hands”; and before Major Doran could remonstrate, the tall, masterful lady had carried him away.
“I am delighted to step into his shoes, Lady Joe,” declared the gallant officer, who was keenly alive to the fact that he was escorting the beauty of the evening—a beauty, too, who had no honour in her own home.
“I see you know Doran,” he added, as they made their way into the ball-room.
“Yes.”
“He is a good sort. I knew him in Natal; he did very well in the mounted infantry—a nailing rider.”
“Oh, he rides well,” she assented, as she watched him dancing with his captor.
“And is able to keep fine horses; he is rich.”
“Oh, no, indeed.”
“Sorry to contradict, but he is a wealthy man; an uncle in America left him tons of dollars. I’m surprised he stays in the service; but money is useful everywhere. It was rather amusing the way Miss Gussie carried him off; perhaps she will manage it for good and all!”