"All colonels who come from India appear so."
"Nay," said she, looking up with her droll eyes, "he is a handsome young dragoon."
"Young!"
"His portrait is in the parlour."
"Ah, I remember; but it must have been taken long ago."
"He was nearly twenty years younger than his brother, my uncle; and it has been arranged by my aunt and Mr. Macfarisee, that he takes me out to India with him when he returns."
"Wherefore to India, Amy?" I asked in a quavering voice, as my bubble seemed on the point of dissolving.
"Because they say I am alone here."
"Alone?"
"Yes."