'Didn't he, my dear?' said the Colonel feebly. 'Still, they are relations. Call each other by their Christian names, and----'
This time a laugh interrupted him; rather a hard laugh for a girl.
'What a number of cousins the Rajpore ladies must have!' she began.
'Not Mrs. Boynton, Rose; not Mrs. Boynton,' protested the Colonel with spirit.
'No, I admit it. She is perfectly lady-like. I don't really dislike her a bit.'
'Dislike! my dear Rose! who could dislike so--so----'
'I admit it again, father. She is charming. I catch myself watching her, just as if I were in love with her like all the nice men are.'
'Really, my dear Rose----'
'Well, dear, why not? She is perfectly sweet. Then she has such tact. Do you know she never allows an ungentlemanly man to fall in love with her? I often wonder how she manages it. It's awfully clever of her.' Rose, standing by the fire, shifted a log with her foot and the sparks flew upwards. 'Of course I would rather have had a girl; but I suppose it wouldn't have done. There! don't worry, dear! Go off to your whist. I'll settle it all.'
'My dear girl----'