"You hear, Colonel.

Trust your niece.

Her sex knows a man when it sees one." And he laughed, well pleased with his wit.
But he laughed alone.

A cloud of annoyance swept across the face of the Colonel's niece, whilst the Colonel himself was too absorbed in the consideration of this bargain to heed the Governor's humour.

He twisted his lip a little, stroking his chin with his hand the while.