and very graciously
proffered Scooter for a caress. "You needn't be afraid of him. He
doesn't bite," she said.

"I suppose he is a bewitched prince, is he?" asked Bernard, as he
stroked the furry little animal.

The great blue eyes were still fixed upon him. "No," said Tessa, after a
thoughtful moment or two. "He's only a mongoose. But I think you are a
bewitched prince. You're so big. And they always pretend to be beggars
too," she added.

"And the princesses always fall in love with them before they find out,"
said Bernard, looking quizzical.

Tessa frowned a little. "I don't think falling in love is a very nice
game," she said. "I've seen a lot of it."

"Have you indeed?" Bernard's eyes screwed up for a moment, but were
hastily restored to an expression of becoming gravity. "I don't know
much about it myself," he said. "You see, I'm an old bachelor."

"Haven't you--ever--been in love?" asked Tessa incredulously.

He held out his hand to her. "Yes, I'm in love at the present
moment--quite the worst sort too--love at first sight."

"You are rather old, aren't you?" said Tessa dispassionately, but she
laid her hand in his notwithstanding.

"Quite old enough to be kissed," he assured her, drawing her gently to
him. "Shall I tell you a secret? I'm rather fond of kissing little
girls."

Tessa went into the circle of his arm with complete confidence. "I don't
mind kissing white men," she said, and held up her red lips. "But I
wouldn't kiss an Indian--not even Peter, and he's a darling."

"A very wise rule, Princess," said Bernard. "And I feel duly honoured."

"How is my darling Aunt Stella this morning?" demanded Tessa suddenly.
"You made me forget. _Ayah_ said she would be all right, but _Ayah_ says
just anything. Is she all right?"

"She is better," Bernard said. "But wait a minute!" He caught her arm as
she made an impetuous movement to leave him. "I believe she's asleep
just now. You don't want to wake her?"

Tessa turned upon him swiftly--wide horror in her eyes. "Is that your
way of telling me she is dead?" she said in a whisper.

"No, no, child!" Bernard's reply came with instant reassurance. "But she
has been--she still is--ill. She was upset, you know. Someone in a car
startled her."

"I know I was there." Tessa came close to him again, speaking in a tense
undertone; her eyes gleamed almost black. "It was the Rajah that
frightened her so--the Rajah--and my mother. I'm never going to ask God
to