Miss Benson could claim to be Irish on her mother’s side and so was a ready-witted match for the doctor’s Celtic exuberance; though to Wargrave watching it seemed that Burke’s easy banter cloaked a deeper feeling.

Drawn into their conversation Frank found the girl to be natural and unaffected, without a trace of conceit, gifted with a keen sense of humour and evidently as full of the joy of living as a school-boy.  He thought her laugh delightfully musical, and it was frequently and readily evoked by Burke’s droll remarks or the quaint oracular sayings from the self-possessed elf on Wargrave’s knee.  Her admiration of and genuine affection for Mrs. Dermot was very evident when Noreen joined their group.

The subaltern, covertly and critically observing her, could hardly believe the tales which their hostess had previously told him of the courage and ability that this small and dainty girl had frequently shown.  But only a few minutes’ conversation with her father convinced Frank that he was an amiably weak and incompetent individual, more fitted to be a recluse and a bookworm than a roamer in wild jungles where his work brought him in contact with strange peoples and constant danger.  It was evident that the reputation which his large section of the Terai Forest bore as being well managed and efficiently run was not due to him and that somebody more capable had the handling of the work.  Hardly had Wargrave come to this conclusion and begun to believe that the stories that he had heard of the daughter’s business ability and powers of organisation were true when he was given a very convincing proof of her courage and coolness in danger.

After tea, as the sun was nearing its setting and a deliciously cool breeze blew down from the mountains, a move was made to the garden, where the party sat in a circle and chatted.  When evening came and the dusk rose up from the world below, blotting out the light lingering on the hills, Mrs. Dermot made her children say goodnight to the company and bore them reluctant away to their beds.  As the darkness deepened the servants brought out a small table and placed a lamp on it, and by its light carried round drinks to the men of the party.  Miss Benson was leaning back in a cane chair and chatting lazily with Burke, who sat beside her.  She had one shapely silk-clad leg crossed over the other, and a small foot resting on the grass.  Opposite her sat Colonel Dermot and Wargrave.  As the brilliant tropic stars came out in the velvety blackness of the sky occasional silences fell on the party.  A tale of Burke’s was interrupted by the Political Officer’s voice, saying in a quiet forceful tone: 

“Miss Benson, please do not move your foot.  Remain perfectly still.  A snake is passing under your chair.  Steady, Burke!  Keep still!”