Also he asked me what was my permanent address in that country.

I told him Durban, and in my turn asked why he wanted to know.
"Because Miss Holmes seems quite crazy about the place, and I expect I shall be dragged out there one day," he replied, quite gloomily.

It was a prophetic remark.
At this moment our conversation was interrupted by Lady Longden, who came to bid her future son-in-law good night.

She said that she must go to bed, and put her feet in mustard and water as her cold was so bad, which left me wondering whether she meant to carry out this operation in bed.

I recommended her to take quinine, a suggestion she acknowledged rather inconsequently by remarking in somewhat icy tones that she supposed I sat up to all hours of the night in Africa.