“It’s very kind of you, Mahon; and for the short time I’m to be with you I’ll do the best I can to be cheerful. It shouldn’t be a great effort. I suppose the train will be starting in a few minutes?”
“What train?”
“For Paris.”
“You’re not going to Paris now—not this night?”
“I am, straight on.”
“Neither straight nor crooked, ma bohil!”
“I must.”
“Why must you? If you don’t expect pleasure there, for what should you be in such haste to reach it? Bother, Ryecroft! you’ll break your journey here, and stay a few days with me? I can promise you some little amusement. Boulogne isn’t such a dull place just now. The smash of Agra and Masterman’s, with Overend and Gurney following suite, has sent hither a host of old Indians, both soldiers and civilians. No doubt you’ll find many friends among them. There are lots of pretty girls, too—I don’t mean natives, but our countrywomen—to whom I’ll have much pleasure in presenting you.”
“Not for the world, Mahon—not one! I have no desire to extend my acquaintance in that way.”
“What, turned hater, women too. Well, leaving the fair sex on one side, there’s half a dozen of the other here—good fellows as ever stretched legs on mahogany. They’re strangers to you, I think; but will be delighted to know you, and do their best to make Boulogne agreeable. Come, old boy. You’ll stay? Say the word.”