A born diplomat, and never so happy as when engaged in a broil or a scene of some sort, they have given this Yankee aunt of Lady Ruth the name of Gwendolin Makepeace.

And as she has an appendage somewhere, known as a husband, her final appellation is Sharpe, which somehow suits her best of all.
Aunt Gwen is a character to be watched, and bound to bob up serenely, with the most amazing assurance, at unexpected times.
Then there is Sharpe, her worse half, a small gentleman over whom she towers, and of whom she is secretly fond in her way, though she tyrannizes him dreadfully.
Near him may be seen a young American, whom they have somehow dubbed "Doctor Chicago," because he is a medical student hailing from that wonderful city, by name John Alexander Craig.

Among his friends he is simply Aleck.

His manner is buoyant, and he looks like an overgrown boy, but his record thus far proves his brain to contain that which will some day cause him to forge ahead.
No one knows why Craig is abroad.

That he has some mission besides a tour for health and sight-seeing, several little things have proved.
There is another member of the group, a gentleman of sturdy build, with a handsome face, whose ruddy tint suggests the English officer, even without the flowing whiskers.
Colonel Lionel Blunt has seen much service in India and around Cape Colony.