ve it, among many things from
those same Indian ancestors. We have no cause to hate them. Hate is
not in our family as in others of our class; but we never forget that
it is _our class_."

The brooding pain in the man was a revelation. Carlin had said, ". . .
there are things you must understand."

"You are already aware that we are English and Indian. But you do not
conceive what that means. It is my duty to speak. All life appears to
me first from the English standpoint; but you see the _shadow of India
under my skin_. All life appears to my sister first in the Indian
concept; but you will not easily find the shadow of India under her
skin. We have one brother--darker than the average native. . . . Are
you prepared to find such colour in one of your own?"

The question was gently spoken, but the eyes were like destiny.

"Any child of hers will be good to me," Skag answered softly.

A glow loomed in the blacknesses and Roderick Deal flashed Skag a smile
which reminded him, at last, of Carlin.

"European men, in the early days, were responsible for the branding,
now carried by thousands in India--carried with shame and the bitterest
sort of curses. But our line is unique in this regard. We are
conditioned by a pride, as great as the shame I have spoken of. On
account of it, no one of us may enter marriage without public ceremony
of as much circumstance as is expedient."

The storm-lights had gone down and a half-deprecatory, half-embarrassed
expression, made the face look so quite like any other man's, that Skag
smiled.

". . . Because we are descended from two extraordinary romances, both
of which were celebrated by the marriage of an imperial Indian
woman--one Brahmin, one Rajput--with a British man of noble family--one
Scotch, one Irish. Carlin will tell you the stories; she loves them."

Again the smile like Carlin's.

"So she must come down to Poona, where she was born; and the ceremony
must be performed in the cathedral here, by the Bishop himself--who is
a real man by the way, as well as distinguished."

. . . That was all right.

"You are to be published at the time of your marriage, in all the
English and vernacular printed sheets throughout India, specifically as
a scientist whose research will take you much into jungle life."

Roderick Deal paused for reply. Skag considered a moment and said
tentatively:

"If my work will come under that head?"

"Oh, quite! there is no questio