t dusk, but as she had
not done so up to that late hour, the Collector's servants had come to
the conclusion that she was dining at a neighbour's in the
happy-go-lucky way that sahibs took "pot-luck" at one another's houses
without reference to their domestics.

It was odd in Mrs. Meredith's case, for never before had she failed to
return to her baby that she might tuck him into his little cot herself
and see that all was right. The ayah was not a little perturbed, but did
not voice her feelings until speaking to Honor, fearing that they were
foolish and unfounded. What did the Miss-sahib think?

Honor did not know what to say. The more she thought of it the less
likely did it seem that Joyce would dine out without coming home to
change into dinner things and kiss her precious infant good-night. She
decided to return home at once and ask what her parents thought about
it.

This she did without loss of time, and Mr. and Mrs. Bright took a grave
view of circumstance.

"The car has either broken down somewhere, or they have met with an
accident," said Mr. Bright.

Mrs. Bright maintained a stiff reserve.

The thought of an accident caused Honor's knees to give way beneath her
and she collapsed into a chair. "How shall we know? Supposing they don't
return--?" The bare idea was intolerable.

"I have never liked these constant motorings in her husband's absence.
Mrs. Meredith is very foolish to court gossip in the way she is doing.
Presently there will be a scandal," said Mrs. Bright shortly.

"Joyce is not a flirt, Mother."

"She goes far enough to earn the reputation of one, however innocent she
may be."

Honor knew it was the truth and was silent with an indefinable dread.
Was Joyce altogether safe with Captain Dalton?--Should he fall in love
and grow intensely attracted by her beauty and childlike charm, was he
the sort to consider morality and the law? Was he strictly an honourable
man? None knew him; none trusted him; not even Ray Meredith who was
afraid to betray his jealousy and incur his wife's resentment; or why
had he said: "Take care of my wife--she is such a kid?"

"What had best be done?" she asked anxiously.

"We had better beat up the Station and see what has happened," said Mr.
Bright, rising to put his suggestion into effect. "She might be stupid
enough to be dining with the doctor at his bungalow."

"Oh, never!" said Honor indignantly. "She is not so foolish as all
that!" A hot flush surged