How good-looking he was as he stood under the lamp with his hat off! How nice he had been to her—exactly like a brother! She drew back with a long breath, that was almost a sigh, as she said to herself, “Of course I shall never see him again.”
CHAPTER XIII.
TOBY JOY.
Letter from Mrs. Brande, Allahabad,to Pelham Brande, Esq., Shirani:—
“Dear P.
“She arrived yesterday, so you may expect us on Saturday. Send Nubboo down to Nath Tal Dâk Bungalow on Thursday, to cook our dinner, and don’t allow him more than six coolies and one pony. Honor seems to feel the heat a great deal, though she is thin, and not fat like me. At first sight, I must tell you, I was terribly disappointed. When I saw her step out of the railway carriage, a tall girl in a crumpled white dress, with a hideous bazar topee, and no puggaree—her face very pale and covered with smuts, I felt ready to burst into tears. She looked very nervous and surprised too. However, of course I said nothing, she wasn’t to know that I had asked for the pretty one, and we drove back to the Hodsons’ both in the very lowest spirits. She was tired, the train had broken down, and they had all to get out and walk miles in the middle of the night. After a while, when she had had her tea, and a bath, and a real good rest, and changed her dress, I declare I thought it was another person, when she walked into the room. I found her uncommonly good-looking, and in five minutes’ time she seemed really pretty. She has a lovely smile and teeth to match, and fine eyes, and when she speaks her face lights up wonderfully. Her hair is brown, just plain brown, no colour in it, but very thick and fine. I know you will be awfully disappointed in her complexion, as you were such a one for admiring a beautiful skin. She has not got any at all.
“Just a pale clear colour and no more, but her figure is most beautiful. Indeed, every time I look at her I notice something new; now the nape of her neck, now her ears—all just so many models. She is, of course, a little shy and strange, but is simple and easily pleased; and, thank goodness, has no grand airs. I took her to Madame Peter (such stuff her calling herself Pierre) to order some gowns for dinner parties. I thought of a figured yellow satin and a ruby plush, she being dark; but she would not hear of them, and all she would take was a couple of cottons. I can see she wants to choose her own clothes, and that she would like to have a say in mine too; and knows a good deal about dress, and fashions, and is clever at milinery (I always forget if there are two ‘L’s,’ but you won’t mind). She says she is fond of dancing and tennis, but cannot ride or sing, which is a pity.
“She has brought a fiddle with her, and she plays on it, she tells me. It reminds me of a blind beggar with a dog for coppers, but the Hodsons say it is all the go at home; they admire Honor immensely.
“I suppose Mrs. Langrishe’s girl has arrived. I hear she is no taller than sixpence worth of half-pence, but the biggest flirt in India.
“Yours affectionately,
“Sarabella Brande.
“P.S.—I hope Ben is well, and that he will take to her.”