curity by that time, with a duly appointed
Brigadier--a _nya jawan_[2]--riding roughshod over my tenderest
feelings, but you can still swagger as the officer accompanying the
forces of a friendly state."

Gerrard had not been listening. "Bob," he whispered, "I--I can't go to
Ranjitgarh."

"Why not, old boy'?"

"She may be there. They will have fetched the ladies down from the
hills if there is trouble."

"I think not. Old Cinnamond has taken the field, but there are plenty
of troops in Ranjitgarh. But if she is there, Hal?"

"I might speak--I ain't master of myself, Bob."

"Well, my dear fellow, and why not? Have you forgot what I said--that
you were to have the next turn? Speak, by all means, and take her with
my blessing, if she'll take you."

"Bob, I won't have it. I have been making a fool of myself when I
didn't know what I was saying, and you are behaving like a brick
because you are sorry for me."

"Ton my word, it's nothing of the sort. I can say now what I wouldn't
say once, that I had rather see her happy with you than unhappy with
me. I'm not going to let you outdo me there, you see, though I may be
a little bit late."

"Good old Bob!" said Gerrard weakly.

"Not a bit of it. Ain't we chums, old boy? Now remember, _pop_ goes
the weasel!"

[1] Mutineers.

[2] New hand.

CHAPTER XXI.

FAINT HEART AND FAIR LADY.

"My dear, I fear you will think I have been indiscreet."

Mrs James Antony looked up, and caught her husband's humourously
deprecating expression. "Oh, James, I know that means you have done
something dreadful, and want me to get you out of the difficulty!" she
sighed. "Well, love, what is it?"

"I have sent a _kasid_ to meet poor Gerrard, to tell him he is to come to
us, and we will take no refusal. As soon as the man was gone, I
remembered that you would probably object to his being thrown into Miss
Cinnamond's company."

"But surely you must see for yourself, love, that it would be most
awkward for both of them? I almost think I had better ask Mrs Jardine to
take in dear Honour for the time. She would be delighted, I am sure."

"You know best, my dear. If Lady Cinnamond would not mind finding
herself under such an obligation to Mrs Jardine, it is not for me to make
objections."

"She would dislike it extremely, love, as you well know. But what else
is there to be done?"

"I don't myself see why there should be any awkwardness at all," said
Jam