"Don't be slangy," said Mabel.
"Do you call French so, Mab?" Rose asked, as they hastened in high spirits to attire themselves for walking, and little anticipating the scene that was before them.
"What are you thinking of Waller?" asked Audley, smiling.
"That a thousand girls may be beautiful; but only one among them have an air of refinement."
"Like Miss Trecarrel?"
"Exactly."
All Europeans had now been ordered to keep within the shelter of the cantonments, and as it was feared that the General's house might not be sufficiently protected by the guns on the bastions overlooking the Residency, he had arranged for the removal of his whole family and effects into the regimental bungalows; and already a fatigue party under Sergeant Treherne was at work on the premises, pulling down and packing up, as only soldiers can pack and prepare in haste.
With something of a stunned emotion Denzil rode by the side of Waller on the horse of Audley, as the latter preferred to accompany the ladies who were to witness the Conference through their lorgnettes from the cantonment walls.
"Oh! he preferred remaining behind," thought Denzil viciously; "preferred remaining with her, of course; what cares he about the Envoy, the Sirdir, or the Conference, d—n him!'
"Full uniform is the order, you see," said Waller, as three other officers joined them; "we are to meet Ackbar in our war-paint—in all the pomp and glorious circumstance——"