However, as Mrs.Hunter will be staying at the Major's, and will act as her chaperon, the matter is settled.'" "Well, I think it was very kind of her thinking of it," Isobel said, "and I don't think it is nice of you, Doctor, to say that it was an evident relief to her when she found I had someone else to take care of me.

Why should it have been a relief ?" "I have no doubt it has weighed on her mind for the last fortnight," the Doctor said; "she must have seen that as you were freshly joined, and the only unmarried girl in the regiment, except her own daughters, it was only the proper thing she should offer you a seat in her carriage.
No doubt she decided to put it off as late as possible, in hopes that you might make some other arrangement.

Had you not done so, she might have done the heroic thing and invited you, though I am by no means sure of it.

Of course, now she will say the first time she meets you that she was quite disappointed at having heard from me that Mrs.Hunter would be with you, as she had hoped to have the pleasure of having you in her carriage with her." "But why shouldn't she like it ?" Isobel said indignantly.

"Surely I am not as disagreeable as all that! Come, Doctor!" Captain Doolan laughed, while the Doctor said, "It is just the contrary, my dear; I am quite sure that if you were in Mrs.Cromarty's place, and had two tall, washed out looking daughters, you would not feel the slightest desire to place Miss Hannay in the same carriage with them." "I call that very disagreeable of you, Doctor," Isobel said, flushing, "and I shall not like you at all if you take such unkind and malicious views of people.