hat myself," she said. "But
I'm not going to let you patch up my life with yours. If this must
be--and you are sure--you are sure that it must?"

"I have spoken," he said.

She faced him resolutely. "Then India shall have us both. Now I have
spoken too."

His face changed. The grimness became eagerness. "Stella, do you mean
that?" he said. "It's a big sacrifice--too big for you."

Her eyes were shining as stars shine through a mist. She was drawing his
head downwards that her lips might reach his. "Oh, my darling," she
said, and the thrill of love triumphant was in her words, "nothing would
be--too big. It simply ceases to be a sacrifice--if it is done--for your
dear sake."

Her lips met his upon the words, and in that kiss she gave him all she
had. It was the rich bestowal of a woman's full treasury, than which it
may be there is nought greater on earth.

PART III

CHAPTER I

BLUEBEARD'S CHAMBER

Bhulwana in early spring! Bhulwana of the singing birds and darting
squirrels! Bhulwana of the pines!

Stella stood in the green compound of the bungalow known as The Grand
Stand, gazing down upon the green racecourse with eyes that dreamed.

The evening was drawing near. They had arrived but a few minutes before
in Major Ralston's car, and the journey had taken the whole day. Her
mind went back to that early hour almost in the dawning when she and
Everard Monck had knelt together before the altar of the little English
Church at Kurrumpore and been pronounced man and wife. Mrs. Ralston and
Tommy alone had attended the wedding. The hour had been kept a strict
secret from all besides. And they had gone straight forth into the early
sunlight of the new day and sped away into the morning, rejoicing. A
blue jay had laughed after them at starting, and a blue jay was laughing
now in the budding acacia by the gate. There seemed a mocking note in
its laughter, but it held gaiety as well. Listening to it, she forgot
all the weary miles of desert through which they had travelled. The
world was fair, very fair, here at Bhulwana. And they were alone.

There fell a step on the grass behind her; she thrilled and turned. He
came and put his arm around her.

"Do you think you can stand seven days of it?" he said.

She leaned her head against him. "I want to catch every moment of them
and hold it fast. How shall we make the time pass slowly?"

He smiled at the question. "Do you know, I was afraid this place
wouldn't