"I'll put a pin in Johnstone's game, and get ahead of Abercromby." This last old warrior had secretly vowed to force Hugh Fraser Johnstone to present him to the "little party in the Silver Bungalow." The Calcutta general was a Knight of Venus, as well as a Son of Mars, and had guarded memories of some wild episodes of his own there in the halcyon days of the great chieftain who had builded it.

A gay young staff officer whispered: "Alan Hawke is the only one who really has the 'open sesame.' He knows that 'little party.' Didn't you see Johnstone hurry her away?
The old nabob, too, is sly." "Ah!" mused the General.

"I'll make Johnstone have Hawke here to breakfast.

Devilish clever fellow--and he'll take me there!" Alas! for these rosy anticipations.

The "little party" was already at Allahabad before the gouty general awoke from his love dream.
And, last of all the "late parties" on this eventful night was Hugh Fraser Johnstone's little solitary council of war.