So I entered into correspondence with him, and agreed to come up for a few months to see how I liked it; and accordingly here I am, just in time to save you from being knocked to bits by an ostrich." "Yes, indeed," she answered, laughing; "you've had a warm welcome at any rate.

Well, I hope you _will_ like it." Just as he finished his story they reached the top of the rise over which the ostrich had pursued Bessie Croft, and saw a Kafir coming towards them, leading the pony with one hand and Captain Niel's horse with the other.

About twenty yards behind the horses a lady was walking.
"Ah," said Bessie, "they've caught the horses, and here is Jess come to see what is the matter." By this time the lady in question was quite close, so that John was able to gather a first impression of her.

She was small and rather thin, with quantities of curling brown hair; not by any means a lovely woman, as her sister undoubtedly was, but possessing two very remarkable characteristics--a complexion of extraordinary and uniform pallor, and a pair of the most beautiful dark eyes he had ever looked on.

Altogether, though her size was almost insignificant, she was a striking-looking person, with a face few men would easily forget.