"Tell the Sahib 'tis the bibi of an English sahib," she said. "He will not refuse to do English ladies a service."
The jamadar shortly returned, followed by a tall dark-featured European in white clothes. He bowed and smiled pleasantly when he came down to the ghat, and addressed Mrs. Merriman in French.
"I am happy to be of service, madam. Alas! I have no boat at hand, but I will send instantly to Chandernagore for one. Meanwhile, if you will have the goodness to come to my house, my wife will be proud to offer you refreshments, and we will do our best to entertain you until the boat arrives. Permit me, madam."
He offered his left hand to assist the lady up the steps.
"I had the mischance to injure my right hand the other day," he explained. "It is needful to keep it from the air."
It was thrust into the pocket of his coat.
"The Frenchman is vastly polite," said Mrs. Merriman to her daughter, as they preceded him up the path to the house. "But there, that is the way with their nation."
"Hush, mamma!" said Phyllis, "he may understand English. I do not like his smile," she added in a whisper.
"La, my dear, it means nothing; it comes natural to a Frenchman. He looks quite genteel, you must confess; I should not be surprised if he were a somebody in his own land."
As if in response to the implied question, the man moved to her side, and, in a manner of great deference, said--