though here and there some fortunate boasted a
thirsty-looking tree, or a handful of rose-bushes blooming bravely in
this, the Indian month of roses.

At the foot of the highest hummock, crowned with buildings of uniform
ugliness, the tonga-driver drew rein and indicated a steep pathway.

"The bungalow of the Major Sahib is above," he said, "and the Presence
must needs walk."

The Presence did more than walk. In the verandah at the path's end a
tall figure stood awaiting her; and before Parbutti and the orderly
had collected her belongings, she was in John Meredith's arms.

The remarkable likeness between the two was very apparent as they
stood together thus; though the man's face was marred by ill-health,
and by the distressing prominence of his eye-bones and strongly-marked
jaw. He led her into the dining-room with more of lover-like than
brother-like tenderness; for despite his forty years no woman had yet
dethroned this beautiful sister of his from the foremost place in his
heart.

He set her down at the breakfast-table, himself poured out her tea,
and dismissed the kitmutgar as soon as might be, Honor watching him
the while with troubled solicitude in her eyes.

"It's crushing, John!" she said at length. "And you do look horribly
ill."

"Well, my dear girl, is it likely I'd desert the regiment, and forfeit
a year of your good company unless devils within were pretty
imperative?"

She smiled and shook her head.

"But you ought to have told us about it sooner, ... me, at any rate.
When did you know the decision of the Board?"

"Yesterday. Desmond was with me at the time. I didn't write before
that about things being uncertain, for fear the good old man should
take fright and whisk you off home. And I thought that even if I
couldn't square the Board, you'd find waiting out here for me the
lesser evil."

"Very much the lesser evil. What a barbarian people at home would
think me if they knew it! And you must go, ... when?"

"In four or five days; as soon as my leave is sanctioned."

"And, naturally, I stay here with you till then."

"Well, ... partially. But when your heavy luggage came yesterday, it
seemed simpler to send it straight to the Desmonds, and that you
should settle in and sleep over there. We're all sitting in one
another's pockets here, and you and I can be together all day, never
fear. Will that arrangement suit your Royal Highness?"

"My Royal Highness is as wax in your hands," she a