“You don’t say so! The chimneys smoke beyond anything. I pity whoever is going there.”
“A bachelor, I believe, a Captain Waring, has taken it for the season, as it’s close to the mess.”
“In the regiment that’s marching up—the Scorpions?”
“No; I believe he is out of the service, and coming up for the hot weather, and to try and get some shooting in Thibet later on.”
“Then he must have money?” wagging her head sagaciously.
“Yes, I dare say he has. I’m told it is going to be a gay season.”
“That’s what they always say,” replied Mrs. Brande, impatiently. “I’ll believe it when I see it. But I did hear that Mrs. Kane is expecting a brother that is a baronet: he’s coming up to see the hills; he has been globe-trotting all winter. And so you have been up with the Duchess—she’s all alone, isn’t she?”
“Yes, for the present; but she will soon have a niece with her—a niece from Calcutta.”
“A niece!” sharply, and leaning half out of the rickshaw. “What niece?”
“Her brother’s daughter, Miss Paske; she is said to be very pretty and accomplished, and attractive in every way.”