his eyes. A
woman takes small account of her own wet lashes, but a man's tears are
like drops of blood wrung from the heart.

Honor took his head between her hands, and kissed him, long and
tremulously. After that there seemed no need for words on the subject
nearest their hearts.

"You knew why I didn't come sooner?" was all she said, and Desmond
pressed the hand resting on his shoulder. Then, seating herself
opposite him on the edge of the table, she glanced at the telegraph
form lying before him.

"Are you wiring for more news?"

"Yes. I want an 'urgent,' care of the Station-master, to catch me at
Lahore to-morrow night, and another at Thung dak bungalow next day;
unless . . . of course . . ."

"Hush, hush. You _must_ not think of that."

He frowned, and was silent. The two men loved one another as men
linked by half a lifetime of toil and ambition learn to love,--or hate;
and in the face of a calamity so unthinkable, even Desmond's incurable
hopefulness was shaken.

"Captain Lenox believes he will be allowed to go," Honor went on after
a pause. "But he's hardly fit for it, is he?"

"Not quite, perhaps, though he's made of iron under it all, and if he's
set on going, I don't fancy O'Malley will stand in his way."

"I told him we would make all travelling arrangements, and you'll be
sending Dunni out with this, I suppose?"

"Yes. At once. Why?"

"Because I want him to take a note to Mrs Rivers at the same time."

"Mrs Rivers? Would you sooner go to her than stay on here?"

Honor smiled.

"Do you really imagine I shall stay on here?"

"Why not? It would save the trouble of moving; and you wouldn't feel
lonely with the little chap for company."

"But, you dear, foolish man, can't you see that it's you I want?" And
she leaned forward, speaking quickly to stave off interruption. "Don't
make a fuss about it, please; because I have settled everything in my
mind. I'll ask Mrs Rivers to take baby and Parbutti for me. I know
she gladly will. As for me, of course I go down to Dera to-morrow, and
do what I can for you all."

At that Desmond straightened himself; and Honor foresaw one of those
pitched battles, which, between natures equally imperious and
hot-headed, were unavoidable from time to time; while Desmond, because
he meant to have his own way, dared not let her see how profoundly he
was moved by this culminating proof of her devotion.

"My dear Honor, the thing is out of the ques