Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/247

230 All the people petted her and talked nonsense to her, till she grew to think the world was made for her. I can't do anything with her, and Polly is hopeless—lets her run perfectly wild, don't you know. The only person who can manage her a bit is Dilâl."

The Colonel glanced towards the young man in white, whose immovable face gave no sign of knowing that he was spoken of.

"Dear me!" said Mrs. Fane, "only fancy now! But here we are standing on the steps as if we could n't go indoors; and dear Polly and this sweet child so tired!"

They all trooped in and the Colonel, his wife and little girl followed their hostess into the cool, shady parlor. Colonel Fane turned and said something to Dilâl in a strange language; and he instantly disappeared.

"Tell me about him," whispered Bobby,