Herr Krauss naturally attributed this change to her niece, and showed his gratitude to Sophy in various abrupt ways, suffering her to mix with the English society without sneers or interference.  Sophy did not now see so much of the German community; she was aware that Mrs. Muller and others no longer approved of her, and Frau Wurm had said openly, “that although the girl had done her best to learn how to keep a house, her heart had never been in the business and she was not schwaermerisch to German people or German ways!”

* * * * * *

Whilst Sophy Leigh had been enjoying herself at May Myo, among the green hills and soft airs of Upper Burma, Shafto, in the oppressive sultry heat, had had some pleasant and unpleasant experiences.

The pleasant experience was that his salary had been raised.  Now he could afford to buy another horse and keep a tum-tum; with a heavier purse he was able to send home some well-chosen and handsome presents—­a China crepe shawl for Mrs. Malone, ivory carvings to the Tebbs, an Indian chuddah to his aunt and a heavy gold bangle for each of the girls.  Unfortunately one gift to “Monte Carlo” had a dire and unexpected result—­it brought him a deluge of letters from Cossie, who was rapturous over his promotion and “his beautiful, exquisite, darling gift,” which she wore on her arm day and night!

“I felt sure you had not forgotten me,” was her ominous opening; “you could not; there is a secret telepathy between us, and I am always thinking of you, dear old boy.”

Several mails later there arrived a letter from Sandy, the contents of which almost made his cousin’s hair stand on end.  After one or two preliminary sentences, Shafto’s eyes fell upon these lines: 

“By this you will have heard that our Cossie will be afloat; she has been very restless and unsettled for a long time—­almost ever since you left; nothing seems to please her.  First she took up nursing and soon dropped that; then she took up typing and soon dropped that.  At last she has got the wish of her life, which is to go abroad.  She has answered an advertisement and secured a top-hole situation, as lady nurse in Rangoon.  She starts in ten days in the ship that took you out—­the Blankshire, and is so busy and excited that she is nearly off her nut.”

The same post delivered a thick letter from Cossie, which her ungrateful and distracted relative tore up unread.  Already, in his mind’s eye, Shafto could see Cossie permanently established in Rangoon, informing everyone that she was his cousin, bombarding him with chits, worrying him for visits, treats and attentions.  Heaven be praised! neither of his horses carried a lady, it was as much as he could do to ride them himself.  He could not possibly leave Rangoon and so effect his escape; he was nailed down to his work, not like his lucky chums, whose business duties occasionally carried them up the country.  His job was confined to Rangoon itself, for eight hours a day.