est: and the
diamond aigrette, surmounting his turban of palest green muslin,
flashed and quivered in the sunshine, like living fire. The Resident,
in immaculate grey suit and tall white helmet, sat beside him in the
awkwardly swaying howdah with an admirable air of comfort and
unconcern; and their triumphal progress was enlivened by the brazen
cheerfulness of trumpets and trombones, the melancholy squeal of
bagpipes, and the ear-piercing shriek of native instruments; while,
through all, and above all, and under all, the throbbing of innumerable
tom-toms suggested the heart-beats of the mighty crowd made audible.

Journeying thus, along the unshadowed road that overhangs the river,
they came at length to the promontory itself. Here, beneath the huge
State _shamianah_, gaily coloured Kashmir rugs were spread, for Govind
Singh and his court: while curtained enclosures, set at duly decorous
distance, concealed the women-folk, who had been conveyed thither under
close cover much earlier in the day.

Through the surging chattering crowd,--which fell back right and left
before their quietly determined advance,--the Residency party made
their way in to the partial shade of the _shamianah_, wherein chairs
had been set for the English guests; four on either side of the Palace
group.

It was a very dignified Elsie who slid to the ground before Maurice
could get to her, and carefully avoided his reproachful gaze. But he
followed her into the tent, and took his seat beside her unrebuked.
The trifling incident of the night before had increased not merely her
charm but her value in his eyes. If this were not the 'real thing,' he
reflected, in a virtuous glow of self-approval, then surely there could
be no reality on earth.

At this moment he became aware that Garth and Mrs Desmond were
established in the two neighbouring chairs. His surprise at this
unexpected conjunction showed so plainly in his face that Honor,
meeting his glance, responded with dimplings of sheer enjoyment before
devoting herself to the entertainment of her victim.

Desmond, in pursuance of a policy which at least saved Lenox from the
sharpest sting of all, had managed to ride close behind Quita and
Garth; and being nimbler in dismounting than the older man, had
successfully usurped his privilege of lifting her from the saddle. She
herself, though not a little puzzled as to the meaning of it all, was
beginning to relish the humour of the game; and as D