“Colonel Saib quite well, sir.  Two ladies marry officer.”

“Which two?” demanded Newton, eagerly.

“Not know how call Bibi Saib’s names.  But one not marry—­she very handsome—­more handsome than all.”

The heart of Newton bounded at this intelligence, as he knew that it must be Isabel who was still a spinster.  This was shortly after corroborated by an English gentleman who came on board.  Their stay at Madras was intended to be short, and Newton resolved to ask immediate leave on shore.  Apologising to Captain Oughton for making such an unusual request, which he was induced to do from intelligence he had just received relative to his friends, he expressed his anxious wish.  Captain Oughton, who had reason to be highly satisfied with Newton, gave his consent in the kindest manner; “and, Forster, if you wish to remain, you have my permission.  We will manage without you:  only recollect, we sail on Thursday night.”  Newton was soon ready, and quitted the ship with Major Clavering; to whose credit it ought here to be observed, that a daily note was despatched to Captain Oughton, requesting the pleasure of his company at the mess, until he was satisfied that, in this instance, the general invitation was sincere.

As soon as he was clear of the surf and out of the masulah boat, Newton hired a conveyance, and drove out to the bungalow of the old colonel.  He trembled as he announced his name to the butler, who ushered him halfway to the receiving-room; and, like most of the natives, finding some difficulty in pronouncing English, contented himself with calling out “burrah saib,” and then walked off.  Newton found himself in the presence of the old veteran and Isabel.  The latter had been reading a new publication, which she laid down at the voice of the butler announcing a visitor.  But “burrah saib” may be anybody; it implies a gentleman.  What then was the surprise of Isabel, who had no intimation of his arrival, when Newton Forster made his appearance?  Her exclamation of delight, as she ran to him and extended her hand, made Newton Forster but too happy; and, as for a few seconds he held the hand not withdrawn, and looked in her beaming eyes, he quite forgot the presence of the colonel.  A glance from the eye of Isabel in the direction where the old gentleman was seated brought Newton to his recollection.  He walked up to the colonel, who shook hands, and declared that he was most glad to see him.

“You take up your quarters here, of course, Mr Forster?”

“I shall have great pleasure in availing myself of your kind offer for a day or two,” replied Newton.  “I trust that you have been in good health since we parted.”

“Not very; that is, latterly.  I am thinking of a change of climate.  I intend to go home in October.  I suppose you have been informed that the two young women have married?”

“I was told so by some one who came on board.”