She shone by contrast; the light played on her smooth skin to admiration, and the colour changed in her excited face.

For the least fraction of a second she looked from one to the other of her pair of rival swains, and seemed to hesitate.

Then she addressed Chevenix:-- 'You are coming to the Assembly, of course, Major Chevenix ?' said she.
'I fear not; I fear I shall be otherwise engaged,' he replied.

'Even the pleasure of dancing with you, Miss Flora, must give way to duty.' For awhile the talk ran harmlessly on the weather, and then branched off towards the war.

It seemed to be by no one's fault; it was in the air, and had to come.
'Good news from the scene of operations,' said the Major.
'Good news while it lasts,' I said.