you do. Mr. Krauss
was away, she was sick and lonely, and so she got the doctor's
prescription made up over and over again. If she could have gone to
Europe two years ago she might have cured herself of taking the stuff.
Two--three times she has begun to stop it, but it was no good. I have
talked to her and given her wise words and tried to help her--and
_cheat_ her, but she always found me out; so all I can do or have done
is to stand between her and the other mem-sahibs and hide her--trouble."

The sound of light footsteps stealing across the veranda caused Lily to
pause--then she added under her breath:

"It is that Moti ayah, missy; she very cunning, same like little snake
and we had better go. I will keep my promise, though it will be plenty
bother; I am glad that you know--for it will make business more easy
for me now there is one less to hide it from."

Thus the conspirators parted, Sophy having maintained from first to
last her mastery of the situation.

It was not long before Mrs. Krauss became aware, more by instinct than
actual knowledge, that her niece had discovered the real cause of her
illness. One evening as Sophy bent over to kiss her and say good
night, she took her hand in both of hers and, with tears trickling down
her face, whispered:

"Sophy darling, I've tried--it's no use; whatever happens, keep it from
_him_!"

And this was the sole occasion on which Aunt Flora ever alluded to her
failing.

CHAPTER XXXII

ON DUTY

The veil that shrouded her aunt's secret being now withdrawn, by a
strange paradox a heavy cloud of darkness descended upon Sophy; she
seemed to have suddenly passed from a warm glow of sunlight into a cold
shadow-land of mystery and fear. Before Herr Krauss and the outer
world she still carried a buoyant standard of false high spirits. Her
rippling laughter and cheerful repartees were to be heard where young
people were assembled at the Gymkhana, or elsewhere; but this Sophy
wore another aspect when she sat on duty in her aunt's bedroom, whiling
away restlessness and want of sleep with reading and talk, and even
cards. Many a time the dawn was breaking before she was at liberty to
go to bed. No wonder that she looked pale and fagged--no wonder people
gazed at her keenly and inquired about her health. It is not easy even
for a girl of two-and-twenty thus to burn the candle at both ends!
Riding, dancing, and playing tennis in the daytime, and then sitting up