THE RETURN Stella's first impression of Bhulwana was the extremely European atmosphere that pervaded it.

Bungalows and pine-woods seemed to be its main characteristics, and there was about it none of the languorous Eastern charm that had so haunted the forbidden paradise.

Bhulwana was a cheerful place, and though perched fairly high among the hills of Markestan it was possible to get very hot there.

For this reason perhaps all the energies of its visitors were directed towards the organizing of gaieties, and in the height of the summer it was very gay indeed.
The Rajah's summer palace, white and magnificent, occupied the brow of the hill, and the bungalows that clustered among the pines below it looked as if there had been some competition among them as to which could get the nearest.
The Ralstons' bungalow was considerably lower down the hill.

It stood upon more open ground than most, and overlooked the race-course some distance below.