In this way, I hope you will have recovered some of your cheerfulness before you start." It was a hard time for Lisle for the next week or two, for everything reminded him of his father.

The risaldar major and the other native officers, with all of whom he was familiar, grasped him by the hand when they met, in token of their sympathy; and the sepoys stood at attention, with mournful faces, when he passed them.

He spent the heat of the day with his books, and only stirred out in the early morning and evening, meals being considerately sent down to him from the mess.

At the end of a fortnight he made a great effort and joined the mess, and the kindness with which the officers spoke to him gradually cheered him.
Then there came an excitement which cheered him further.

There were rumours of disaffection among the hill tribes, and the chances of a campaign were discussed with animation, both among officers and soldiers.