nowledge of this mysterious
transaction went no further; and even she was able to perceive that
from so nebulous a starting-point no definite advance could be made.
She had also heard of women selling their jewels, and wondered vaguely
who were the convenient people who bought them; though this
alternative did not commend itself to her in any case.

Yet by some means the money must be found. Her earliest creditors were
beginning to assert themselves; to thank her in advance for sums which
she saw no hope of sending them; and, worse than all, she lived in
daily dread lest any of them should be inspired to apply to Theo
himself. Look where she would a blank wall confronted her; and in the
midst of the blankness she sat, a dainty, dejected figure, with her
pitiless pile of bills.

"Krizney, Miss Sahib, _argya_."[19]

[19] Has come.

The kitmutgar's voice jerked her back to the necessities of the
moment.

Well, mercifully, Honor was out. It would be a comfort to see any
one, and get away from her own thoughts. Also she could explain about
the dinner; and, hastily gathering up her papers, she sent out the
customary "salaam."

"Oh, Mrs Desmond, I _do_ hope I am not disturbing you." Miss Kresney
came forward with a rather too effusive warmth of manner. "But you
forgot to mention if you dine at a quarter to eight or a quarter past;
and I was not certain if you meant us to dress or not."

Miss Kresney would probably have been amazed could she have seen these
two Englishwomen dining together.

"Why, yes," Evelyn answered simply, "we always dress in the evening,
Honor and I. But--please don't think me very rude--I'm afraid I must
ask you and your brother to put off coming till--some other night. I
was just going to send you a note; because Honor is--not at all well.
She has been out in the sun all day, and her head is bad. She must
keep quiet to-night. You see, don't you, that I can't help it? It
isn't my fault."

Linda Kresney's face had fallen very blank; but she pulled herself
together, and called up a cold little smile.

"Of course not, Mrs Desmond. How could I think it is _your_ fault,
when you have always been so veree kind to us? We often say it is a
pity every one is not so kind as you are. I am sorry Miss Meredith is
not well." An acid note invaded her voice. She had her own suspicions
of Honor, as being too obviously Captain Desmond's friend. "My brother
will be terribly disappointed. No doubt we can come s