So every day they used to sit down to breakfast and dine together at a little table contrived out of a packing-case, and placed under an extemporised tent, for all the world like a young couple picnicking on their honeymoon.

Of course, the situation was very irksome in a way, but it is not to be denied that it had a charm of its own.
To begin with, once thoroughly known, Jess was one of the most delightful companions possible to a man like John Niel.

Never, till this long _tete-a-tete_ at Pretoria, had he guessed how powerful and original was her mind, or how witty she could be when she liked.

There was a fund of dry and suggestive humour about her, which, although it would no more bear being written down than champagne will bear standing in a tumbler, was very pleasant to listen to, more especially as John soon discovered that he was the only person so privileged.

Her friends and relations had never suspected that Jess was humorous.