in the
smallest degree for her welfare. She would not keep her for good,
though, so far as her mother was concerned, she might easily have done
so. But she did occasionally--as a great treat--have her to sleep with
her, generally when Tessa's looks proclaimed her to be in urgent need of
a long night. For she was almost always late to bed when at home,
refusing to retire before her mother, though there was little of
companionship between them at any time.

Stella investigated this resolution on one occasion, and finally
extracted from Tessa the admission that she was afraid to go to bed
early lest her mother should go out unexpectedly, in which event the
_ayah_ would certainly retire to the servants' quarters, and she would
be alone in the bungalow. No amount of reasoning on Stella's part could
shake this dread. Tessa's nerves were strung to a high pitch, and it was
evident that she felt very strongly on the subject. So, out of sheer
pity, Stella sometimes kept her at "The Nest," and Tessa's gratitude
knew no bounds. She was growing fast, and ought to have been in England
for the past year at least; but Netta's plans were still vague. She
supposed she would have to go when the Ralstons did, but she saw no
reason for hurry. Lady Harriet remonstrated with her on the subject, but
obtained no satisfaction. Netta was her own mistress now, and meant to
please herself.

Monck arrived late one evening on the day before that on which he was
expected, and found Tessa and Peter playing with a ball in the
compound. The two were fast friends and Stella often left Tessa in his
charge while she rested.

She was resting now, lying in her own room with a book, when suddenly
the sound of Tessa's voice raised in excited welcome reached her. She
heard Monck's quiet voice make reply, and started up with every pulse
quivering. She had not seen him for nearly six weeks.

She met him in the verandah with Tessa hanging on his arm. Since her
great love for Stella had developed, she had adopted Stella's husband
also as her own especial property, though it could scarcely be said that
Monck gave her much encouragement. On this occasion she simply ceased to
exist for him the moment he caught sight of Stella's face. And even
Stella herself forgot the child in the first rapture of greeting.

But later Tessa asserted herself again with a determination that would
not be ignored. She begged hard to be allowed to remain for the night;
but this Stell